2195’s Nathan Moffatt Completes the Air Cadet Pilots Scheme

Over the last two weeks, Cadet Flight Sergeant Nathan Moffatt has been based at Tayside Aviation, Dundee to fulfil the prestigious opportunity that was presented to him – The Air Cadet Pilot Scheme (ACPS).
With only 186 cadets offered the course annually, Flight Sergeant Moffatt fell into a very fine margin being offered the chance to receive twelve hours of flight instruction, with all accommodation and messing expenses paid for.
In this twelve hours, Flight Sergeant Moffatt followed the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) syllabus, and each and every flight was logged with the type of aircraft and time flown. He spent these twelve hours under the instruction of Tom Hall, who proved to be an excellent role model and instructor.
For the duration of the two weeks, Flight Sergeant Moffatt flew in the Aquila A211 (pictured), a single engine light aircraft, and progressed to control the aircraft more and more, as he took in the information and proved to Tom that he understood the controls and aircraft systems, including radio calls.
On the 14th October 2016, Flight Sergeant Moffatt, despite being under the impression that weather had rained off the day, was called up by Marjan Bledowski, the senior instructor at Tayside Aviation, and assessed about everything he had learnt. Seven circuits of the airfield later, Marjan gave the green light to go solo.
From this point onwards, it was up to Flight Sergeant Moffatt to handle the aircraft, radios and demonstrate a circuit of Dundee Airfield before bringing the aircraft back to the ground safely. Needless to say this was achieved with flying colours!
Flight Sergeant Moffatt has now been presented with his Air Cadet Pilot Wings, and can wear these prestigiously on his uniform.
Flight Sergeant Moffatt would like to express his thanks to South and East Midlands Wing Commander, Wing Commander Dickinson, Central and East Regional Commandant, Group Captain Gorman, and Headquarters Air Cadets for the nomination, and Tayside Aviation for the faultless instruction and opportunity.
“The last two weeks has been the pinnacle of my cadet career, I never expected to be presented with such a prestigious opportunity and I never ever thought I would go solo in a light aircraft at this stage in my life. I would fully recommend the course to anyone and Tayside Aviation to any potential Aviators”.