1075 Top Flight Visit

By A/Sgt J. Parker Surrey Wing ATC
Last Update: 05.05.2006 13:40:21

Twelve cadets and four members of staff, including Plt Off Crosby of 261 (Guildford) Squadron, experienced the trip of a lifetime to Cyprus as the prize for winning the RAFA Top Flight competition.

The trip started with a VIP day at RAF Brize Norton, home of the RAF transport fleet. Here the cadets got to experience the thrill of landing a VC10 transport aircraft in one of the station’s simulators. This was followed by a reception in the officers’ mess where the squadron was presented with a framed picture from RAF Brize Norton and a Red Arrows book from RAFA. Cdt Horsman was also awarded a certificate of appreciation for the effort he went to to raise money for RAFA. During the afternoon the cadets had tours of both the VC10 and Tristar aircraft before booking into the Gateway House hotel.

The next day was an early start to get to Heathrow for 0650 hrs for the flight to Larnaca. Once on the flight it was time for another surprise, this time for Cdt S Clarke who’s mother had managed to get on the flight. Mrs Clarke, who works for BA as a member of the cabin crew, arranged for a special mention for the squadron in the captain’s welcome speech and a tour of the cockpit once the 767 had landed.

A game of ten-pin bowling finished the day off after the party had arrived at RAF Akrotiri, before the fun really started.

The next day was what it had all been about - a day with the world famous aerobatics team, the Red Arrows. After a tour of one of the Hawk aircraft by a member of the engineering team, the cadets sat in on the pilots’ preflight brief. Then it was into the waiting cars to be rushed to a magnificent cliff top location to see the display. No-one in the party had ever seen the Reds display in such a unique setting. During the display the cadets chatted with Red 10, Flt Lt Andy Robins, and gave a cheer down the radio at the end.

Once back at the Reds temporary base the cadets sat in the debrief where the pilots watched their display on video and analysed what was good and bad. A unique experience for the cadets who had previously only seen the finished display at UK airshows.

Following a quick game of football to burn of some of the excitement, the party visited No 1 Overseas Sqn ATC before enjoying a traditional Greek Cypriot kebab night.

On the last full day in Akrotiri, the cadets and staff were invited to the station HQ for a chat with the station commander Gp Capt Bairsto. He explained the ins and outs of running the station and asked the cadets their opinion on what they had seen.

A tour of an 84 Squadron Griffin helicopter followed before the mandatory trip to the beach. Here the cadets enjoyed themselves building sandcastles.

The trip was a brilliant experience for all that went and will live on in their memories for a long time. Many thanks must go to RAFA, Flt Lt Kyle Williams who came up with the idea and assisted the party in the UK and Cyprus, and to all the other RAF personnel who enthusiastically gave up their time to talk to the cadets.

Tony Hirons of RAFA who accompanied the cadets on the trip said afterwards: “We are delighted they enjoyed their trip. Their behaviour was impeccable and they were a credit, not only to 1075 Squadron, but to the Air Cadets as a whole.”

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