News - Mar/Apr 2001

Newsletter Mar/Apr 2001

2175 CADET DECLARED BEST IN REGION

By Cadet Pamela Chun

Cadet Warrant Officer Paula Hastie has been awarded the Andrews Sash of Honour, for the year 2001, after being voted the best cadet in Scotland and Northern Ireland Region. Competition was fierce and this accolade recognises her personal achievements and her selfless contributions at many levels. CWO Hastie has put a lot of time and energy in support of young people. She has worked hard and achieved much, making the commitment worthwhile. CWO Hastie has undertaken a vast range of activities. These include a leadership course at Frimley Park, the International Air Cadet Exchange scheme, Advanced Gliding Training, Flying Scholarship, Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and has won 11 Wing Blues. On her achievement, CWO states, “I am really pleased, flattered and ecstatic. I can’t believe it, completely over the moon. It is a major achievement for having five years of fun!”
This achievement is a great credit for both the squadron and Wing. I am sure that we will all bask in her reflected glory.
CWO Hastie will be presented with the Andrews Sash of Honour at the Regional drill competition on September 2nd.

RED NOSE DAY 2001

Back row from left to right: Little, Lynch, Jones, Surgenor, Bradley, Hamilton, McMillan, Reynolds, Muir, Collins
Front row from left to right: Ironside, Shields, Campbell.

By Cadet Jones & Pro Sim

On Red Nose Day, our squadron participated in raising money for Comic Relief with CWO Callan organising a sponsored “Role Reversal Night” for the cadets, NCOs and staff. This involved the cadets taking over from the top ranks and the top ranks becoming cadets for the night. Each cadet raised money for the cause and raised in the region of £200.This night gave the cadets a chance to improve their leadership skills, and it also gave them a night without duties, which were completed by the demoted NCOs and staff! Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and the cadets would certainly be willing to try this again. Reports on this activity have been released to the local press, with photographs.

FOOT AND MOUTH DISRUPTS TRAINING PROGRAMME

By Cadet Bradley

The recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease has disrupted activities in the ATC due to the countryside being closed to the public. The squadrons training programme has been affected with hill walking, gliding and Garelochhead weekends being cancelled. Foot and Mouth has also interfered with activities at annual camps, such as night exercises. In recent weeks however, certain areas of the countryside have re-opened and hopefully things will be back to normal soon. Garelochhead training camp will be re-arranged as soon as it re-opens for ATC units. Look out for news on Garelochhead appearing soon.

CLASSIFICATION EXAM RESULTS

By CWO Callan

At the beginning of March, cadets from the squadron sat their classification training exams and we are pleased to announce that all the cadets obtained a pass in their respective exams.
Cadets training for Leading classification sat two exams; Principles of Flight and Airmanship II to complete their training. Their results are as follows;

Cdt Chun – PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt Collins – PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt Shields – PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt McLellan – PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt Bradley – PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt Jones - PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt Kilmartin – PASS WITH CREDIT
Cdt Reynolds – PASS WITH CREDIT

Cadets training for Senior classification sat one exam; Propulsion, to complete their training. Their results are as follows;

Cdt Surgenor - PASS WITH CREDIT
Cpl Shearer - PASS WITH CREDIT

Cadets training for Staff classification sat one exam; Operational Flying. Their results are as follows;

Cpl Yuill – 25/25
Cpl Hastie – 23/25
Cpl McQuade – 24/25

The Leading and Senior Classification badges will be presented on the 25th April.

AIR EXPERIENCE FLYING

By Cadet Reynolds

On the 7th of April eight cadets from the squadron attended AEF 5 at Glasgow airport. AEF or Air Experience Flying, is an ATC scheme designed to promote flying skills. This beginners course allows cadets from 13 to 22 years of age to experience the thrills of flying in a small two man aircraft, which was the new Grob Tutor which recently took over from the Bulldog. These aircraft can be flown from international airports such as Glasgow along with RAF bases across the country. The benefits of ATC are that it gives cadets of all ages flying experience and the confidence needed not just for the ATC but in life.

ATHLETICS TRAINING DAY

By Cadet McMillan

A training day for the Wing Athletics competition was organised recently at Scotstoun Leisure Centre. Two athletics coaches were hired to help train our skills. The two groups trained in the high jump, long jump, javelin, and discus. Due to a problem at the leisure centre we had to transfer to Kelvinhall International Arena after lunch, however the cadets found that the facilities were better at the hall anyway. The javelin and discus proved to be the most popular activities and also the most educational as the cadets had never participated in these activities before. We hope to return to the Kelvinhall before the Wing competition in order to gain some more experience.

SKIING LESSONS AT BELLAHOUSTON

By Cadet McMillan

Since the end of March, Mr Sim has been organising skiing lessons for the cadets at the Glasgow Ski Centre at Bellahouston Park. The lesson began with the instructor teaching us some basic manoeuvres such as moving down the slope, how to stop and turn, how to jump and what to do if you fall. We all had fun laughing at people falling; there were some great falls, especially from Mr Sim! By the end of the second lesson we were proficient at turns, controlling our speed and stopping. We couldn’t wait to ski down from the top of the large slope but first we had to prove our skills. We were then allowed to ski down the big slope, trying not to crash into people and barriers. Some were more successful than others! As these lessons have been so successful Mr Sim hopes to organise further lessons and to introduce new cadets to the sport.

2175 CLIMBS TO THE TOP

By Pro Turnbull

On Sunday 15th April a group of cadets visited the Glasgow Climbing Centre at Ibrox. 18 cadets attended the centre, which is a converted church. The cadets were split into three groups with an instructor to each group. The cadets were issued with safety harnesses and climbing shoes to wear when climbing. Although the climb was tough, especially on the arms and legs, it felt great when you reached the top of the wall. Overall, it was a great day out, which Cpl Robert Hastie hopes to repeat when he organises a return visit next month. The Corporal is currently researching membership of the club and the possibility of the cadets gaining qualifications in the sport.

SAILING WITH THE OCEAN YOUTH TRUST

By Cdt Chun and Pro McWatt

In March of this year, cadet Debbie Dawkins went on a sailing voyage with OYT Scotland on a ship called Alba Ventura for five days. There were twelve cadets on board, which made it easier to get to know people considering the fact that this was the first time Cdt Dawkins has been sent somewhere by the squadron. She thoroughly enjoyed herself and she had several turns of steering the vessel. All the cadets on board also had this opportunity. It was very tiring and when the crew were not on watch, they had to get as much sleep as possible. Cdt Dawkins found it a worthwhile trip as it was something new and different, she also feels that she has become more confident due to the sense of responsibility she encountered. We hope to add Debbie’s pictures to the squadron web site soon.

RAF AKROTRI CAMP

By Cadet Jones

Corporal Suzanne Shearer has recently returned from a two-week camp at RAF Akrotri in Cyprus. She departed on the 27th of March with two cadets from Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing, flying from London on a jumbo jet.
RAF Akrotri covers an area of fifteen square miles and is one of the largest stations in the world. “The weather was great”, said Suzanne “It was around 90oF every day, but the weather did include a thunderstorm”. Over the two weeks Suzanne took part in a full range of activities such as canoeing, bowling, shooting and flying. There were also visits to the tombs (very smelly!), beach, tornado squadron, and waterfalls. She also took part in “Turtle Watch” which included picking up rubbish along the coast.
Suzanne would like to be a fire fighter and was lucky enough to get work experience with the fire crew based there. She was fully kitted out and then went into action. They set their training building on fire, which she hosed down and even got to drive a fire engine! “It was great to be in control of something that big!” exclaimed Suzanne.
The camp cost a total of £295, “But it was worth it” claimed Suzanne. The cost included all activities, transport, food and accommodation. Suzanne had a great time at RAF Akrotri and would recommend it to any cadet. Suzanne’s pictures from Cyprus should be posted on the web site soon.

LAZER QUEST 2001

By Cadet Surgenor & Clark Kent

On Saturday the 26th of March, twelve cadets took part in an expedition to “Lazer Quest 2000”. This involves each individual being equipped with a flashing sensor vest and a laser gun, then proceeding to a dark smoke filled moon base or crypt and shooting the life out of everything in sight, while trying to avoid being shot yourself. The cadets booked in for three games with the winner receiving a trophy. The first two games were for fun, although some took it more seriously than others. However, when it came to the final game, the trophy game, tension started to mount. Some cracked, some could not handle the pace, yet a few came out on top. In third place Cpl Hastie, in second place Cdt Surgenor, but the top shot, the big cheese, the numero uno, in first place Cpl McQuade. The top three received free membership and the winner was also presented with a trophy. I feel that the general consensus said it was a good day, and we would like to return after a while.

SQUADRON PADRE RE-APPOINTED

By CWO Callan

This March, our squadron staff received a boost in numbers, as our previous padre was re-appointed to the squadron. The re-appointment ceremony took place at squadron HQ with a speech by the Wing Padre, Squadron Leader Lawless. The Rev. Hutton Steel resides over Williamwood parish Church, where we parade every year on ATC Sunday. Our padre has an interest in aviation and modelmaking, which we hope to use to our advantage.

VISIT TO HMS ALDERNAY