FEATURES
The RAF Families Federation recently visited Squadron Leader Andy Tagg, Officer Commanding on 115(R) Squadron, based at RAF Wittering to find out about many things relating to the Grob 115E Tutor aircraft: The University Air Squadron, The Tutor Display Team and the instructors… instructing the instructors!
The aircraft
For the plane spotters among you, the Grob 115E Tutor came into service back in the mid-2,000s. It is just under 25 feet long (24ft 9in to be precise!) with aWingspan of 32ft 8in and amax airspeed of 185kts. It has a1x180HP, Textron-Lycoming IO-360 piston engine and its GLimits are +6G to -3G.
UASSquadrons
Have you always had achildhood dream of learning to fly? If yes and you are
18 or over as afull-time registered student studying for adegree at a university,you could be eligible to become amember of aUniversity Air Squadron (UAS).
These are essentially RAF training units, providing basic flying training, force development and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities. The squadrons provide ataste of life in the Service for those considering acareer as an Officer in one of the RAF’s many branches.
After an application process, you can expect to enjoy training nights, usually on aweekly basis, as well as attending several annual training camps. There is room for you too if joining auniversity as amature student. Just be aware of the upper age limit (26 years of age).
Youalso need to make sure you are lined up with auniversity that hosts aUAS. So if you are reading this during sixth form, and currently working your top five preferred placements, bear in mind these are the UASs you can join.
University Air Squadrons: Birmingham Bristol
Cambridge East of Scotland East Midlands Glasgow &Strathclyde Liverpool London
Manchester &Salford Northumbrian Northern Ireland
14 Envoy Winter 2017
Oxford
Southampton Wales Yorkshire
Instructing the instructors
Headed up by OC Sqn Ldr Tagg, 115(R) Squadron plays avital part in training all the Tutor Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) for all three services in the Armed Forces. The purpose being to train the instructors at each UAStoenable them to in turn deliver exceptional training to its members on each UAS.
The instructors come from experienced backgrounds; two of which Imet whilst visiting and were both former Harrier pilots.
The RAF Tutor Display Team
“Sqn Ldr Tagg had the pleasure of being the Tutor Display Pilot for the 2017 season. As with all display pilots, Andy designed his own display routines, Full and Flat, to demonstrate his aircraft’s capabilities in avariety of weather conditions. He flew atotal of 19 displays, all Full, at 16 different locations during the summer.”
“Each display location, whether an RAF Station’s Families Day or public airshow,was supported by the nearest UAS. This engagement on the ground to promote the work of the UASs and Air Cadets was crucial to the overall success of the display. It was designed to inspire the future
raf-ff.org.uk
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