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The Experience Of Flight

Air Experience Flights are a way of giving cadets an experience of what flying is really like. These flights usually last about 20 minutes and take place in various places around the country. The first flight is usually a familiarization exercise. Once the cadet is happy with the controls and instruments they have the chance to take control of the aircraft. Instruction in the classroom as the cadet progresses through the classes will teach them how the aircraft controls and instruments work.

On later flights the pilot may give the cadet an opportunity to do some aerobatics. These usually consist of loops, rolls and turns. The pilot will carry out the manoeuvre and then if they are happy with the cadets ability they get the chance to carry out the manoeuvre with the pilots guidance.

The cadet will be trained in basic procedures before being able to fly and a training video is shown before every flight. They will require to wear an emergency parachute, a helmet and suitable clothing to fly and will be taught safety procedures in the unlikely event of an emergency occurring.

The Aircraft

Grob Tutor

The Grob Tutor is current aircraft used to perform the Air Experience role. It is a side-by-side seating, duel control aircraft with a single 3-bladed propeller and has a good panoramic view from the cockpit. This aircraft is capable of aerobatics. Cadets will have the chance to try these for themselves. Mannock Squadron's nearest Air Experience Flying School is 5 AEF based at RAF Wyton near Cambridge.

The Vigilant Glider

The Vigilant glider is one of the main aircraft used for gliding practice, the engine is used for takeoff as a conventional aircraft, after which the engine is set to idle giving the aircraft glider like abilities. The gliding school used by 378 Squadron is based at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire, you can find out more about the school by visiting there website.
www.616vgs.co.uk

The pictures below show the Grob109b Vigilant glider, inside the cockpit and the profile if the aircraft.

When a cadet goes flying they will need to be kitted out in suitable flying clothes which are supplied. The flying helmet is fitted with a microphone for contact with the pilot and the control tower. A flying suit or coveralls, gloves and soft shoes such as trainers are to be worn. The parachute is fitted by trained personnel and the cadet is taught how to operate it in the unlikely event of it being needed.

There are likely to be some stunning scenes that the cadets could see when flying. These are a selection from flights in various different aircraft that a cadet may get a flight in.

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