Fly Army!

1 Regiment Army Air Corps hosted our Fourth Year Army and RAF cadets at their base in Yeovilton on a warm cloudless day in June.

The AAC put on a fantastic programme, starting with a “proper beasting” around the base and in the gym from a PTI (physical Training Instructor).

Rehydrated, the cadets then attended two stands. The SERE stand taught the cadets the first two stages of Survival, Escape, Resistance and Extraction; making fire from first principles to survive and then practising methods to free-oneself from various types of tape and cable-tie wrist restraints to escape. The shooting stand allowed the Army cadets to practice, and the RAF cadets to experience, firing the SA80 rifle on a variety of judgement shoot scenarios using the indoor virtual DCCT range.

The real highlight was, unsurprisingly, the Air Experience Flight

The real highlight was, unsurprisingly, the Air Experience Flight, where groups of four cadets enjoyed 15-minute rides as passengers in the Wildcat helicopter - fully-kitted up, side-doors open, flying over the local area including a buzz over Glastonbury Tor. Two cadets, who were unable to fly due to a minimum weight safety threshold on the aircraft, enjoyed helicopter flying lessons in the Wildcat training simulator, accompanied by a pilot-instructor, and then monitored each other using the sim consoles.

Many thanks to Old Churcherian Lt Col. Alex Rivett, the CO of 1 Regt AAC, for facilitating this wonderful opportunity for us. 

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