For most teenagers taking control of an
aircraft themselves is something they can only dream about, but for 9
Cadets from 2438 (Bishop Ullathorne) Squadron Air Training Corps this
was a recently activity that all cadets at the squadron have the
opportunity to experience.
The teenagers at the squadron took to
the skies over Shropshire when they visited RAF Cosford on 13 February
for the Air Experience Flying activity.
For many of
the cadets it was their first time Air Experience Flying in the Grob
Tutor, the aircraft they got to fly. Each cadet got a flight which
lasted about 30mins, and they got to take control of the aircraft.
During
the experience the pilot in charge of the aircraft taxis along the
runway, takes off and finds some clear airspace before giving the cadet
control of the aircraft. When the cadet hears the words "You have
control" they respond with “I have control sir” and then they have
control of the aircraft.
For Cadets Holland, Mallon and Reed
this was their first time Air Experience Flying and they all enjoyed it
so much they can’t wait to experience it again.
2438 Squadrons Commanding
Officer Flight Lieutenant Nathan Adams said “The first time that a Cadet
goes up in an Air Experience Flight aircraft is an occasion that will
be remembered for the rest of their lives. For many Cadets this maybe
the first time they have ever been up in an airplane, but the smiles on
the Cadets faces tells the story of how much they have enjoyed the
experience. No other youth group can offer teenagers such opportunities
such as this as well as all the other activities the Air Training Corps
has to offer.”
Pancake
day was celebrated a day early and in style this year, with 2438
(Bishop Ullathorne) Squadron Air Training Corps getting in on the act.
Shrove Tuesday
is traditionally a day of celebration before the reflection of Easter
and this year was certainly party time for the cadets who are passionate
about pancakes.
The cadets at
the squadron turned their hand to cooking pancakes in mess tins and
frying pans while participating in inter flight flipping competitions.
The pancake flipping competition
was organised by the squadron’s cadet NCO (Non Commissioned Officers)
team as part of a sequence of initiative exercise. So the cadets could
concentrate on other sections of the competition the pancakes were
cooked in pairs and flipping times were recorded by the Squadron staff.
The declared winners of the
competition were red flight who were presented with their team
certificate on final parade.
The Squadrons Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant
Nathan Adams said "Whilst this event is light hearted it is still
teaching the Cadets good life skills in cooking. This is just one
element of the variety of training we undertake on the Squadron, but as
always we try to put the maximum fun into every activity we do, living
up to the Corps motto of Venture Adventure.
Cadets and staff from Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing Air Training Corps paraded through the town of Daventry on Sunday 7th February 2010 to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps in 1941.
The parade was lead by the bands of 1289 (Stratford) and 497 (Daventry) Squadron who have been granted Freedom of the Town. The parade was followed by a service in Holy Cross Church at which the Wing Padre officiated the service.
Following the church service the parade started once again for a march past at which the salute was taken by VIP guests including Group Captain Brett Morrell, Regional Commandant Central and East Region Air Training Corps.
After the service, staff, cadets and guests were treated to refreshments provided by Daventry Ex Services Club.
The event was attended by Coventry Air Cadet Squadrons including 8f (1st City of Coventry) 163 (phoenix) 2286 (Arden) 84 (Bagington) and 2438(Bishop Ullathorne) Squadron of which 2438 Squadron had the most attended cadets in the parade and their squadron banner was paraded by Cdt Sgt John Ormsby.
2438 Squadrons Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Nathan Adams said “It was again very pleasing to see so many members of 2438 Squadron on parade supporting a major Wing event. This is a good experience for the Cadets as the support from the public of Daventry was very positive”.
On Monday 18th January 2010, 2438 Squadron Air Training Corps held an open evening at the Squadron headquarters in Coventry. The evening had been publicised in the local newspaper and on local radio as well as various websites.
The evening started at 1930 with Cadet NCOs at the Squadron welcoming all the parents/guardians and potential new recruits who had turned up and served them refreshment.
After a brief welcome the attendees were split into three groups. The groups were shown around the squadron and watched demonstrations on first aid, drill, field craft and given talks about Duke of Edinburgh awards, Btec qualifications, flying and gliding.
Following the demonstrations, everyone was taken back into the drill hall for a talk from Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Nathan Adams and the Squadron Staff.
After the talk the evening was rounded off with a question and answer session.
Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Nathan Adams said "It was very pleasing to see so many teenagers and parents turn up to the Squadron Open Evening. We were able to show them a wide variety of the activities that 2438 Squadron has to offer.
I am pleased to say that all of the potential Cadets who were able to become members of 2438 Squadron have indeed done so."
DESPITE offering exciting opportunities to teenagers including the chance to fly on their weekends, two years ago a Coventry cadet squadron was down to just a handful of members.
Numbers had dropped to such low levels that the 2438 Squadron Air Training Corps, based in the grounds of Bishop Ullathorne School, in Leasowes Avenue, Green Lane, was told it would have to close.
But a massive recruitment campaign has turned things around for the group and it now boasts 40 cadets and is the second biggest in the city.
Back in 2007 new commanding officer Flight Lieutenant Nathan Adams was brought in and given six months to save the squadron, which has been running since 1964.
He could see that the staff and cadets who were turning up to parades were losing morale and began a determined campaign to get more people involved.
Recruitment drives, radio interviews and increased charity work followed and gradually more young people began to find out about the cadets.
Flight Lieutenant Adams said: "When I first took command of 2438 Squadron the number of cadets on the squadron could be counted on one hand most nights.
"Those dedicated few cadets were completely demoralised, along with the small nucleus of the staff team. The task given to me was a daunting one, turn around a squadron that was in immediate danger of being closed down. But with the help of the staff, all of this hard work from both the cadets and staff has now paid off."
As numbers grew so did the amount of activities available for the cadets including flying, gliding, adventure training and drill as well as the chance to gain qualifications including Btec and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Cadets are also seen at a range of local events and this year they have got involved with the Coventry Fun Run, the Donkey Derby, the Coventry Half Marathon, the Caribbean Festival and the Two Castles Run as well as collecting money for Help for Heroes.
Flight Sergeant Alan Tillman, the training officer who has been at the squadron for eight years, said: "It was hard for the staff and cadets back in 2007 but we had the determination to improve the squadron's cadet numbers.
"It was particularly difficult as a training officer, when you only have a handful of cadets trying to organise and plan ac tivities that are for larger groups of people becomes a challenge."
The squadron is still on the look out for more recruits aged between 13-17 especially as those who joined and helped save it from closure are now getting to the age where they will have to leave.