The cold, wind and showers did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those attending the first Scampton Air Show and the Central and East Region of the RAF Air Cadets were on hand to add to the entertainment.
Sqn Ldr Nick Gensler explains the controls to a “Future Pilot”
The main Air Cadet draw for both parents and youngsters were the two glider simulators loaned from the Region’s Activity Centre. Thanks to the staff of RAF Scampton’s Heritage Centre, the two simulators were located within the dry and relative warmth of the Heritage Centre’s Hanger close to one of the site entrances.
A steady stream of both young and old tried their hand at simulated flying and landing the Air Cadet Gliders, the Vigilant and Viking, and staff were on hand to answer questions and encourage recruitment to the RAF Air Cadets.
The Officer in Charge, Squadron Leader Paul James, was extremely pleased with the results of months of planning and paid tribute to the volunteers who gave up their weekend; ”A great group of people who worked their socks off to put on a great stand for the promotion of the Central & East Region Aviation Course, it’s been a pleasure and a great laugh!”
Chief of the Air Staff chats to cadets at the stand
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF, and Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, CBE, Commandant Air Cadets, were amongst the visitors to the stand during the weekend.
Flt Lt Joanne Wood with her recruitment team
Out on the airfield, within the RAF Village, and braving the elements, Flight Lieutenant Joanne Wood, Officer Commanding the local Lincoln
Squadron, was running a recruiting stand helped by a rota of cadets from the pool of 250 Air Cadets from all over the UK who were spending the week at Scampton helping with the set up, running and dismantling of the event.
Busy time around the Viking Glider
Adjacent to the recruiting stand Squadron Leader Heeral Poria and instructors from 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron based at RAF Syerston, displayed a Viking glider offering a chance for the general public to experience the intricacies of the Viking cockpit that the cadets become accustomed to during their progression through the gliding training syllabus.
Central and East Region look forward to next year and hope that once again they will be invited to support the Scampton Air Show and the RAF Charitable Trust who have done so much for the RAF Air Cadets.