Cadet Flight Sergeant Tommy Lawrence is one of the very first cadets from 1109 (Thetford) Squadron to feel the success of passing his Flying Scholarship, provided by the Royal Air Force.
Flight Sergeant Lawrence, who has been a cadet at 1109 Squadron for five years, spent two weeks at Tayside Aviation in Dundee undergoing intensive training which included lessons, twelve hours of flying training and an examination.
Flight Sergeant Lawrence was determined to pass his scholarship as only a small number of cadets across the organisation are given this opportunity. He said, ‘whilst going through this remarkable opportunity it gave me an insight to the many different jobs and roles across an airfield and the responsibility of having control over an aircraft. It has certainly opened by eyes to the future possibilities of becoming anything from an Air Traffic Controller to a pilot’.
Officer Commanding 1109 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Samuel Chapman-Allen added, ‘the skills Flight Sergeant Lawrence has gained throughout his ATC career has been consolidated on this course and it was a great achievement. Tommy has flown an aircraft solo before passing his own driving test and this is only one of many opportunities this organisation has to offer’.
Flight Sergeant Lawrence now intends to promote this opportunity to other cadets within the squadron.