Oct 16 - Gibraltar Air Cadet Completes First Solo Flight
Air Cadet Warrant Officer Aden Cox recently completed his Gliding Scholarship by completing a solo flight over the English countryside.
Aden is a member of Gibraltar’s own Air Cadet Squadron, No 2 (Overseas) Gibraltar Squadron and was offered a place on a nine day Gliding Scholarship with 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron based in Wethersfield, Essex.
Aden said: “It was an amazing week; there was a certain level of theoretical knowledge at the beginning before we could get on the tarmac for some real hands-on experience. My aim was to be able to fly the Grob Areospace Viking TI on a solo circuit by the end of the week”.
The initial lessons covered the principles of flying and basic aircraft handling but as the week progressed students were encourage to fly solo circuits.
“The feeling of sitting in a Viking alone at 1,000 feet, flying roughly 50 knots and listening to nothing but the sound of the rushing air past the canopy is a feeling like no other,” Aden said.
“It was a truly unforgettable experience and I’m very grateful to both the Air Training Corps and my squadron for the opportunity to undertake such training. Over the nine days I managed a total of 29 launches, amassing to just under 4 hours in the air, and I’m pleased to say that everybody on my course managed to fly solo”
A formal Wings Presentation Parade was held at the end of the course where students were presented with the much coveted ‘Silver Wings’.
Officer Commanding No 2 (Overseas) Gibraltar Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Ivan Caward said: “Aden is a very modest young man, he fails to mention that he matched the school’s record, only once before in their history has a student been ready to go solo on their 29th launch, and unlike Aden they had been gliding before.”
He added: “This unique opportunity can only be found through the Air Cadet Organization, and truly is everything that being an Air Cadet is about.”
