Flying Scholarships?
Avoid imitations
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I must be a mere youngster in comparison. 1973, Flying Scholarship @ Ipswich Airport.
Gross stupidity that the council later closed what was, I believe, Suffolk's only active airport.
Gross stupidity that the council later closed what was, I believe, Suffolk's only active airport.
Ipswich airport was one of my Q X-C destinations back in 1968 during my Special Flying Award - a very friendly place it was too.
On Good Friday 1968, I flew from Cranfield to overhead Henlow (to avoid Bedford/Thurleigh and Cardington), then landed at Cambridge. Off then to Ipswich where I had a cup of tea with another chap on my course - we had brand new Cessna F150s with sequential registrations. Then back to Cranfield again via Henlow, during which some USAF chap in a single seat F-101 came to say hello - perhaps from Wethersfield? Close enough for me to see that he was wearing a bright orange bone dome.....
3:20 flying time, perfect weather - and the first solo landaway I'd ever done! The next one was in a Hunter 8 years later.
On Good Friday 1968, I flew from Cranfield to overhead Henlow (to avoid Bedford/Thurleigh and Cardington), then landed at Cambridge. Off then to Ipswich where I had a cup of tea with another chap on my course - we had brand new Cessna F150s with sequential registrations. Then back to Cranfield again via Henlow, during which some USAF chap in a single seat F-101 came to say hello - perhaps from Wethersfield? Close enough for me to see that he was wearing a bright orange bone dome.....
3:20 flying time, perfect weather - and the first solo landaway I'd ever done! The next one was in a Hunter 8 years later.
Sadly the opportunities to fly in the ATC nowadays are a very pale shadow of their former selves.
It worked well for me; Gliding Course at 662 GS, RAF Edzell in 1957, Flying Scholarship at Perth in 1958 (Tiger Moth - 30 Hours - PPL) which lead to South Cerney in 1960 and 18 years as a pilot in the RAF (never did a ground tour).
Then 30-odd years in commercial aviation.
I reckon the money spent on me produced a decent return.
It worked well for me; Gliding Course at 662 GS, RAF Edzell in 1957, Flying Scholarship at Perth in 1958 (Tiger Moth - 30 Hours - PPL) which lead to South Cerney in 1960 and 18 years as a pilot in the RAF (never did a ground tour).
Then 30-odd years in commercial aviation.
I reckon the money spent on me produced a decent return.
Sandy Wings
When I did my PPL when BEagle was the CFI (I think) of Brize Flying Club there were full time instructors and I did my full PPL in 3.5 weeks (a fortnight, a week and a couple of weekends). I think that Brize FC is not as big as it used to be, but certainly along with Cosford, Halton, Waddington, Moray, Benson, Lyneham (based at Kemble), Wyton and possibly Cranwell Flying Clubs they could deliver these scholarships - and they do for Junior Ranks already The RAF Charitable Trust Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme 2016 as a marginal activity over a year. I know that a couple of RAF Flying Clubs could deliver twice the 24 with ease on their own if tasked.
I also have never heard of the Air Cadet contract going to tender - indeed a lot of the RAF Flying Clubs used to deliver flying scholarships to Cadets and this was wrenched away from them when Dundee were given the contract. I believe the head of Dundee at the time was also the head of a VGS at Arbroath and so, with a bit of lobbying, the die was cast from this when the RAF were trying to save money. The sad thing is there were cheaper solutions right on their doorstep!
I do know that Dundee deliver a fantastic product to the Air Cadets - but just like the barking mad plan for VGS with up to a 3 hour travelling time for Cadets EACH WAY, then it's all about "location, location, location". If you live in Cornwall or Kent then a flying scholarship in Dundee is a bit of a nightmare!
iRaven
When I did my PPL when BEagle was the CFI (I think) of Brize Flying Club there were full time instructors and I did my full PPL in 3.5 weeks (a fortnight, a week and a couple of weekends). I think that Brize FC is not as big as it used to be, but certainly along with Cosford, Halton, Waddington, Moray, Benson, Lyneham (based at Kemble), Wyton and possibly Cranwell Flying Clubs they could deliver these scholarships - and they do for Junior Ranks already The RAF Charitable Trust Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme 2016 as a marginal activity over a year. I know that a couple of RAF Flying Clubs could deliver twice the 24 with ease on their own if tasked.
I also have never heard of the Air Cadet contract going to tender - indeed a lot of the RAF Flying Clubs used to deliver flying scholarships to Cadets and this was wrenched away from them when Dundee were given the contract. I believe the head of Dundee at the time was also the head of a VGS at Arbroath and so, with a bit of lobbying, the die was cast from this when the RAF were trying to save money. The sad thing is there were cheaper solutions right on their doorstep!
I do know that Dundee deliver a fantastic product to the Air Cadets - but just like the barking mad plan for VGS with up to a 3 hour travelling time for Cadets EACH WAY, then it's all about "location, location, location". If you live in Cornwall or Kent then a flying scholarship in Dundee is a bit of a nightmare!
iRaven
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Above info re ACPS and ACPNS is correct. I was fortunate to meet an ACPNS student at Benson over the summer just before and after her final qualifying land away - a fantastic girl who will go far.
Meanwhile, cadets who achieve solo in either a glider or a powered aircraft at their own expense (even if funded by sweeping hangar floors) are now forbidden from wearing the wings badges, a change introduced a couple of years ago. They have to do their flying on a scholarship (HCAP, RAFA, &c.) No, I don't understand the logic either... And yes, I have asked this question up the CoC and been ignored.
Meanwhile, cadets who achieve solo in either a glider or a powered aircraft at their own expense (even if funded by sweeping hangar floors) are now forbidden from wearing the wings badges, a change introduced a couple of years ago. They have to do their flying on a scholarship (HCAP, RAFA, &c.) No, I don't understand the logic either... And yes, I have asked this question up the CoC and been ignored.
The best thing is to trawl the web, there are still some awards available from the Air League and there is a good one at the Cambridge Flying Group to be done on the Tiger Moth.
I was lucky enough to do mine at Cambridge in 1980 and got my PPL out of it.
MM
I was lucky enough to do mine at Cambridge in 1980 and got my PPL out of it.
MM
Beags - I recall 2 studes from 89 Entry who were authorised at the same time for a solo land-away at Valley. So they allegedly did the sortie as a pair, low level. The run and break rather gave the game away and they were kept incommunicado until 2 instructors arrived to collect them. Fortunately they were seen to have "promise" and both went on to successful flying careers
Wander00, I wonder what the reaction would be to that sort of thing in today's nanny-state....
A pair of studes 'paid a visit' to RAFC Cranwell just after I'd left and did a most impressive low-level VRIAB, I gather....
....in a Varsity! I gather that the bomber-teachers' hierarchy 'Was Not Amused'.
Another chap is reputed to have taken a Pig through the Nant Ffrancon - that must have been rather a sight!
A pair of studes 'paid a visit' to RAFC Cranwell just after I'd left and did a most impressive low-level VRIAB, I gather....
....in a Varsity! I gather that the bomber-teachers' hierarchy 'Was Not Amused'.
Another chap is reputed to have taken a Pig through the Nant Ffrancon - that must have been rather a sight!
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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During my JP course I was sent on my first solo nav, five minutes after a pal of mine went. He orbitted over Wetherby, one of the turning points, due to him being uncertain of position. I therefore inadvertently caught him up without him being aware. Once I'd done so, I just dropped back a little and followed him round the route.
He wasn't too chuffed when I asked if he wanted a debrief
Shortly afterwards my QFI came up to me (he'd been DI in the tower and watched us on radar) and asked if I'd enjoyed my formation!
He wasn't too chuffed when I asked if he wanted a debrief
Shortly afterwards my QFI came up to me (he'd been DI in the tower and watched us on radar) and asked if I'd enjoyed my formation!
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Returning to the topic of Flying Scholarship/PPL ... 
I was on a solo Navex in the Piper Colt when it seemed I infringed Upper Heyford's airspace, as I saw white Verys being fired off. Shortly afterward, I saw a B-47, and shortly after that hit his slipstream. That was definetely an "Unusual Attitudes, Recover" moment!!
I then binbled on to my landaway at Thruxton
I was on a solo Navex in the Piper Colt when it seemed I infringed Upper Heyford's airspace, as I saw white Verys being fired off. Shortly afterward, I saw a B-47, and shortly after that hit his slipstream. That was definetely an "Unusual Attitudes, Recover" moment!!
I then binbled on to my landaway at Thruxton
Small world, MPN11. I did my Flying Scholarship at Thruxton on the Jackaroo. My Solo Navex was from there to Shoreham, thence to Portsmouth, and finally back to Thruxton. On last leg spotted large white concentric circles marked out in field below. Often wondered what they were...
My solo landaway was to North Denes - before I set off I was shown the remains of a Piper Colt a member of the Club had landed downwind there, and told to be careful
Meanwhile, cadets who achieve solo in either a glider or a powered aircraft at their own expense (even if funded by sweeping hangar floors) are now forbidden from wearing the wings badges, a change introduced a couple of years ago.
My son is only a couple of flights from his civvy gliding solo. His squadron have said that once he has proof of solo, they will apply to the wing for his wings. Looks like he and the sqn might be disappointed.
One of my female cadets got the first one awarded to a female ATC cadet back in about 1990; unfortunately 3 female CCF cadets got there before her!
She did 30 hours at Peterborough paid for by HQ Air Cadets and her parents paid for her to complete the PPL course.
She did 30 hours at Peterborough paid for by HQ Air Cadets and her parents paid for her to complete the PPL course.