Somerset Army Cadet Force

Salamanca Company Head For The Clouds

Written by SMI Julie Halford

A few lucky cadets from Castle Cary and Yeovil Platoons took to the skies on Tuesday 6 September 2011 & Wednesday 7 September 2011 to fly with 727 Naval Air Squadron on an Air Experience Course.

The main aim of the air experience courses held at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton is to give students the opportunity to fly in the Grob 115E Tutor aircraft and to give young people an insight into military flying within the Fleet Air Arm

German built, the Grob 115E is an aerobatic capable light aircraft designed for a two man crew (typically one student and one instructor). It is 7.5 metres long and has a wingspan of 10 metres. Its maximum cruise speed is 143 miles per hour and it has an endurance of around 710 miles (approximately 6 hours at 10, 000 feet).

Despite some very dodgy weather over the two days, all of the Castle Cary and Yeovil cadets got airborne for at least 30 minutes each. SSI Pete Mooney, Castle Cary Platoon Commander, also donned his flying overalls and managed to convince 727 Naval Air Squadron's Training Officer that he met the criteria of 'student'!

Apart from the issue of flying clothing, numerous safety briefs and the flight itself, the cadets got to see a Royal Navy Hawk aircraft of the Naval Flying Standards Flight (Fixed Wing) and some historic naval aircraft that amazingly still fly from the base. The Royal Navy's Historic Flight is home to the vintage Swordfish Mk II (circa 1943), Sea Fury FB.11 (circa 1948) and Sea Hawk FGA.6 (circa 1955).