James's Photo Gallery & Winning His Scholarship
"The training was very intense as I set out to complete the NPPL in minimum hours within four weeks, this was partly hampered by the weather at the time. When I arrived back at Tayside Aviation in Dundee I was quickly refreshed on the twelve hours flying that I had undertaken during my Air Cadet Pilot Scheme the previous year. Once this general handling was complete I was sent solo into the circuit to get back into the feel of things and to build up my solo time to the necessary ten hours required for the General Skills Test (GST).
Next I set about the navigation phase of the training. This consisted of learning to read the map in the air, identify features and then moving on to flight planning, working out headings and then planning diversions in mid-air. Once complete I sat my Navigation Skills Test which was the hardest part of the training. After passing this I flew my Qualifying Cross Country Flight which was one hundred nautical miles and I had to land away at two different airfields before returning. This flight was my favourite part of the training as I got to take the plane for most of the day solo and to put into practice all that I had learnt. The thrill of flying solo out of the circuit for such an amount of time and the challenge of landing at other airfields made for an unforgettable flight.
Finally I went back to the general handling revision which consisted of stalling, steep turns, practice forced landings amongst other things. After a few hours I had covered everything and had enough hours to sit my GST, which I did and subsequently passed.
Winning the scholarship has given me a fantastic opportunity to achieve one of my lifetime goals to get my Pilots Licence, and I am extremely grateful to RAFA for providing me with the chance to do so. The whole experience has been a steep learning curve but thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding at the same time. Attaining my licence is a big step in my aviation career and when I join the RAF after graduating from university to become a Pilot I hope that it will serve me well and hope to keep on flying for many years to come!"
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RAFA Supports Move to Put British Cyprus Memorial In Place
RAFA would like to take the opportunity to show its full support for the British Cyprus Memorial which is intended to be revealed on Remembrance Day 2009.
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