Real High-Fliers
25 Jun 2009
The sky’s the limit for two Solihull School RAF cadets who have been awarded their gliding wings.
Sgt Thomas Rooney and Cpl Thomas Gerard completed their training with volunteer gliding squadrons at Watton Airfield in Norfolk and Royal Marines Condor near Arbroath respectively.
The 17-year-olds flew a glass-reinforced two-seater Viking T Mark 1 with dual controls that can be flown from either seat.
The intensive week-long course included lectures and tests on airborne exercise theory as well as up to 40 glider launches.
As well as being presented with Gliding Scholarship certificates, the cadets now proudly sport a set of blue wings on their uniforms and are eligible to train for coveted RAF Flying Scholarships.
Flt Lt Ruth Lancaster, Officer in Charge of Solihull School’s RAF Section, said: “The cadets have continued the School’s tremendous success in securing training places and awards from the RAF.”
Last year Solihull School gliding scholar Louis Deane gained a Flying Scholarship and The ‘Cadet of the Week Award’ on summer camp that gave him the opportunity to fly a Hawk jet over Lake Windermere.
In 2007 three pupils won RAF Scholarships to fund them through university and another two gained Gliding Scholarships.
Back to News Headlines