Year 9 student flies plane with Air Cadets

We are always pleased to hear what our students get up to in their spare time. Holly is an Air Cadet and has written a wonderful account of a flight she took recently.

Report by Year 9 student, Holly

When I first found out that I had been selected to go flying I was super excited. Of course, I was a little bit nervous but when I discovered that my best friend, Charlotte, had also been chosen, I knew that no matter what happened we would end up having fun.

We travelled there in Sir’s car and when we arrived the reality of it all hit me. I couldn’t believe that I was about to go and fly a plane myself and if I wanted to, then I could also try aerobatics (I did want to). After a quick toilet trip, we watched a safety video and we practised how to evacuate the plane in the event of an emergency.

Now it was time to get geared up. Once we got all out kit on, we sat outside waiting for the pilots we had previously met, who were going to take us up. By this point our helmets were already feeling really heavy on our heads and hurting. I was called up first as my pilot was first to have the plane ready.

I was helped into the plane and strapped in by a steward and then my pilot went through some engine checks. First, we taxied round whilst the oil heated up and then once it past 40 degrees, we set off down the run way. The take off felt a little bumpy because of the cross wind but apart from that you couldn’t tell we were in the air.

After we reached a certain height I was told to place my hands on my controls and the pilot talked me through how to control the plane. Then he handed over full control to me. After a few turns and cloud bouncing I took us to 3 gravity. This made my face feel extra tight. Then I handed back control to the pilot and we did some barrel rolls and loop to loops. He then took us to 0 gravity where everything inside the craft started to float. It made me feel very stretched and slightly sick.

On our way back we flew over Stonehenge and I got to take some photos. Then I was handed back the controls and given a specific compass setting. I had to use the devices to make sure I was going in the correct direction. Once there, the pilot landed us very smoothly.

By now I had an awful headache from the helmet and my stomach felt rather strange. I was helped off the craft and escorted to take off my gear. There I waited for Charlotte to finish her flight then we ate lunch. Once everyone was back, we said thank you and left.

I got a “First Flight” certificate signed by the pilot, a cool sticker and lots of call photos and videos of us doing aerobatics.

This was definitely one of my favourite experiences of being in the Air Cadets and I was so glad that I got to do it alongside my friends. It will also help with my ongoing training to become a corporal.