Air Cadet Pilot Scheme
Air Cadet Pilot Scheme Diary
by Flight Sergeant Scott Martin, 1701 (Johnstone) Squadron
The Air cadet pilot scheme is a course that takes two weeks to complete. The course trains cadets with twelve hours flying in either a Cessna or a Grob aircraft based at Dundee airport. I recently completed the course, successfully completing my first solo flight after nine hours flying in a Grob Heron, an aircraft similar to the RAF's elementary Trainer, the Grob Tutor.
The course is, as I have already said, two weeks long. The cadets, normally around ten of them, will fly every day of the two weeks so long as aircraft are available and the weather holds out. The cadets are split in two, a senior course and a junior course, the senior course having had one week of training as the junior course arrive. The cadets enjoy a very relaxed atmosphere throughout the course. There is no privilege of rank at any point in the course which means that all cadets enjoy having a great time together. The nights are spent at a local hotel, which is excellent in the service as well as the food it provides (which comes from the attached Italian restaurant).
The flying is, in my opinion, the best experience available with the air cadets. I am obviously biased, being very interested in a career as a pilot in the RAF. The thrill of take off and the amazing feeling of soaring through the air simply cannot be beaten by any experience that I am aware of. The independence you feel when you are sent out on your first solo can only be compared to your first time alone in a car, and having recently done both I have to say the solo flight through the air beats the school run hands down. People thinking about joining the Air Cadets are often not aware of the multitude of opportunities that are available to cadets. This course is easily the best experience that I have had with the cadets. For twelve hours flying training, and at around £130 AN HOUR for private pilots license training, the total cost to a civilian would be £1610, plus accommodation costs.
All that I had to pay for was the bus ticket up to Dundee. And at £3 for a Megabus ticket, I'm not complaining about the ridiculous expense!