RAFAC HQ Fit to Fly Leaflet

PART 2
A GUIDE TO AIR EXPERIENCE FLYING AND GLIDING FOR CADETS
(AND THEIR PARENTS/CARERS)
There are many activities available to you when you join the Air Cadets, but what sets the Air Cadets apart from
other cadet organisations is the opportunity for you to go flying. Flying is an exciting opportunity that few young
people will get to experience. The cadet flying experience, though, is nothing like jetting off on holiday. So, to help
you and your parents/carers decide whether flying is for you here’s a little information on what to expect.
Your Aircraft:
AIR EXPERIENCE FLYING
 The Tutor is a small propeller driven aircraft with just enough room for 2
people. You sit side by side in the left seat with the pilot in the right seat like a
passenger in the front of a car.
What you will wear.
 Flying Suit and Gloves. Worn over COMBATS or No 2 uniform.
 Helmet. Tight fitting and heavier than a cycling helmet.
 Parachute. Heavy and uncomfortable when walking but OK once you get
sat down in the aircraft.
 Life Saving Jacket. This is also bulky and a little uncomfortable but
normally only worn if flying near the sea.
Before you go Flying.
 Safety brief. Given by the AEF Staff including a video. This video will give
you an idea of what to expect on the flight and how to abandon the aircraft and
parachute to the ground in case of an emergency (extremely unlikely to
happen). The brief is also your chance to ask questions if you are not sure of
anything.
 Abandonment Trainer. This is your chance to practise the abandonment
actions in a training rig on the ground. You must show that you can carry out the
abandonment actions and deploy the parachute without assistance before being
allowed to fly.
In the Cockpit.
 Lots of confusing straps and instruments. You may feel a little confused
the first time you fly but your pilot will explain what the instruments do.
 You will be tightly strapped into the seat by a helper. The straps will not
move like a car seatbelt, and you may find this quite restricting.
 On sunny days it will feel very warm with the canopy closed.
 Even with a helmet on the engine will sound noisy.
 You may notice a smell of aviation fuel.
 You will hear some Radio noise in the helmet earpieces as the pilot talks to
the control tower. The pilot will also talk to you through your earpieces.
The Flight.
 Once you are strapped in and the engine started, the aircraft is driven along
at a brisk pace to the take-off point at the end of the runway.
 The engine is noisy on take-off and unlike in an airliner, you will feel the
aircraft skip about a little as it speeds down the runway. The lift-off is quite
gentle – you may not even notice that you are in the air.
 The Tutor is a small aircraft, and unlike in an airliner you can expect the
flight to be a bit bumpy.
 During the flight don’t be shy. Speak to your pilot and let them know what
you would like to do.
 You will be shown how the flying controls work and offered the chance to
have a go yourself under the control of the Pilot. There are 2 sets of controls;
the pilot can take over at any time so no need to worry.
 If you are from a local squadron, you may get the chance to see your house
or school from the air – but this is not always possible.
 Phone Camera. You can take your phone with you for that once in a
lifetime flying Selfie. But ask the pilot first.
 Aerobatics. Aerobatics are much like a brilliant rollercoaster ride in the air.
Not everyone is keen on rollercoasters so aerobatics may not be for you. But,
if you are feeling comfortable and enjoying the flight and would like to have a
go at a looping-the-loop, then ask your pilot. If they think you are up for it, then
they will show you what aerobatics are like.
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GLIDING The Viking:

 This is a glider so, no engine.
 Tandem seating (one behind the other).
 You will normally sit in the front seat.
 Your pilot sits in the rear seat and cannot reach you in the front seat.
What you will wear.
 COMBATS. (No 3 Dress).
 Sometimes No 2 uniform with a flying suit over the top.
 Parachute. Like in the Tutor the parachute is heavy and uncomfortable
when walking but OK when sat down in the glider.
Before flying.
 Safety brief. You will be given a Safety Brief by the VGS Staff including
a video. This video this will give you a good idea of what to expect on the
flight and how to abandon the aircraft and parachute to the ground in case of
an emergency (extremely unlikely to happen). The brief is also your chance
to ask questions if you are not sure of anything.
 Abandonment Trainer. This is your chance to practise the
abandonment actions in a training rig on the ground. You must show that you
can carry out the abandonment actions and deploy the parachute without
assistance before being allowed to fly.
 You will be weighed to see which seat, front/back, you will sit in.
 You will also be sized to ensure that you will fit in the cockpit and not
obstruct the controls.
In the Cockpit.
 Not as confusing or distracting as a Tutor.
 Very cramped particularly for a large cadet.
 You will be tightly strapped into the seat by a helper. The straps will not
move like a car seatbelt, and you may find this quite restricting.
 Can get very warm with the canopy closed.
The Flight.
 No engine so the glider is pulled, by a winch and cable, into the air at a
steep angle. This is very rapid and bumpy along the ground and can be a
little disconcerting the first time. But once the glider has climbed into the air
and the towing cable is released it is a calm and smooth flight.
 Glider flights are much shorter than Tutor flights. Normally around 5 min
but can be up to 20 min.
 Unlike the Tutor, the cockpit is very quiet with just a little wind noise.
 You will be shown how the flying controls work and offered the chance to
have a go yourself under control of the pilot. There are 2 sets of controls; the
pilot can take over at any time so no need to worry.
 Phone Camera. You can take your phone with you for that once in a
lifetime flying Selfie. But ask the pilot first.
 Coming into land may look quite steep, and the landing roll will be a little
bumpy.
So, as you can see this is not the same as flying in an airliner. Cadet Air Experience Flying and Gliding
may not appeal to you and that is fine. But if you want to give it a go then here’s a little more information
on how we go about it.
Medical Fitness.
You will be in the air in a small aircraft with just you and the pilot. Unlike in a car or on a bus, if
something goes wrong the pilot cannot just pull into the side of the road. Nor can the flight just stop like
on a roller-coaster. It would be unsafe to take you flying if, because of a medical condition, you are likely
to become unwell, unconscious, or panicky during the flight. It would also be unsafe to take you flying if
you do not understand what the pilot is saying to you, or you are physically unable to get out of the
aircraft in an emergency. Because of this not all cadets will be medically fit for cadet flying with the
RAFAC.
Your squadron staff will explain the process to you, and you should have been given a form to fill in –
Aviation Medicine Form 1. This is a very important form, and it is there for your safety and the safety of
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others involved in flying. You must, and your parent/carer must, answer all the questions truthfully.
There is another medical form (F6424) but this is only used in special circumstances and will be
explained to you. Most cadets do not need this form.
Going Flying
So, all the medical stuff is sorted, and you have been selected to go flying. This is what we hope your
day will be:
A safe, memorable, and enjoyable experience that has put a smile on your face and
has left you wanting more.
You will not enjoy your first flying experience if you are not up for it on the day. Here’s a few Do’s and
Don’ts:
Do’s:
Do get a good nights’ sleep before flying.
Do have breakfast and take something to snack on during the day. Some may tell you not to eat
because you will get airsick. This is not true. Eat what you would normally have (but avoid heavy
food) until about an hour before you fly.
If you start to feel sick in the air, do not keep it to yourself. Tell your pilot straight
away.
Do drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. But make sure you go to the toilet before flying.
Don’ts:
Don’t fly with a head cold where you cannot clear your ears. It could be painful and may damage
your hearing. How can you tell:
Squeeze your nose shut with your thumb and forefinger. Then, with your mouth tightly
closed breath out hard. If your ears do not ‘Pop’ do not fly.
Even if you can clear your ears on the ground, if your ears feel uncomfortable when flying, don’t
wait until they start to feel painful tell your pilot straight away. They will then help your carry out the
actions to clear your ears.
Don’t go flying if you have a headache, a tummy bug or just feeling a bit rubbish. You might not get
the best out of the flight. Save it for another day.
In the air, if you feel uncomfortable, anxious, faint or are simply not enjoying the flight don’t keep
this to yourself. Tell your pilot. The pilots will not be cross if you ask to go back and land.
Tens of thousands of cadets, just like you, have had their first flight with the Air Cadets over the past half
century or more. Many were nervous to begin with (including this author) but came back with a big smile
on their faces. If you are medically fit and you make sure that you get yourself ready to fly, then there is
no reason why you shouldn’t join that happy band of young Aviators.

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