On a bright, Saturday morning in August a group of cadets from 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron along with 2120 (Witney) Sqn on Sunday became part of the Air-Side Access team for the Sywell (Northampton) Air Rally. With a range of duties to perform from marshalling aircraft and been able to get up and close to a range of aircraft. Information on the event can be found via http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/
The event was well attended with over 1,000 aircraft visiting over the weekend which helps the cadet’s practice perhaps for the Wing Aircraft Recognition competition! The squadron has already have been invited to participate in next year’s event and the cadets that attended got a lot of praise for their performance across the air show. The cadets were well looked after been fed in the Pilots Mess and the expenses were all covered by the event organisers as a thank you for the cadets efforts.
The squadron got involved after CI Richard Bailey from 136 Sqn, a member of the Light Aircraft Association, was invited to attend the event and was approached to see if the cadets could lend a hand on the weekend. As a pilot and flying instructor CI Bailey is hoping to involve the cadets in more activities to support the interest in aviation which many of the cadets joined the ATC for.
Keep an eye open next year as the event is opened up to other squadrons to support and take part, all of which counts within Are You on Target Airborne element