Activities - Flying

The ATC has AEFs or Air Experience Flights spread across the country specifically to give cadets the hands-on experience of flying in an aircraft. The AEFs share a fleet of Grob Tutor aircraft with the RAFs University Air Squadrons which are operated by a private company. However, the pilots are very experienced and all are either currently serving or former military pilots. This gives the cadets the best possible experience, being instructed in how to fly a real aircraft by an experienced instructor.

During these flights the cadets do not just sit back and enjoy the ride, they will be fully involved. In their first few flights they will be shown the basic controls of the aircraft, turning, climbing and descending. The cadet will actually take control of the aircraft for some of the flight which normally lasts about 30 minutes. Cadets will also experience the thrill of aerobatics, if they want to. Now you don't get that in an airliner!

1075 squadron currently goes AEF flying at MOD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. Its location gives the cadets the unique experience of seeing Stone Henge from the air! Each squadron is allocated a few AEF slots a year, which are for either a morning or afternoon, and cadets also get the chance to fly on annual camps to RAF Stations. Before any cadet goes flying they are shown a safety video on what to do in an emergency.

Cadets also get the chance to fly in military aircraft from time to time. The majority of these flights are in transport aircraft, but occasionally cadets get the opportunity to fly in fast jets.