Flight One
6th May 2008
Pilot: Wing Commander (TBC)
Aircraft Type and Number: Grob Tutor GBY VN
Duration:30 Mins
Number: 1 AEF
 

Flight Description

The weather was fantastic today we couldn't have, picked or wished for a better day for flying.  I flew at 10:00 in the morning and I had to go first because it was my first time flying. I had Wing Commander (TBC) as my pilot.  He was lovely to me and we flew over Aberavon Beach and Port Talbot and Steel Works.  We also flew over Nash point and Porthcawl.  I flew the Grob Tutor over Aberavon Beach and Nash Point.  Following our sortie we flew back towards RAF St Athan and landed safely.  I thanked the Wing Commander for this wonderful opportunity which I will never forget.

I would like to say a special thank you to CI Paul Morgan and FLT LT Mike Stones for taking myself Cdt Cara Williams, Cdt Bethan Havard, Cdt Jordanna Eley, Flt Sgt Marc Jones, Cdt Lewis Wilkins and Cdt Tom Emmanual.

Thank you to all the Staff and Pilots at RAF St Athan for making such an enjoyable day.
 

This was my second Air Experience Flying (AEF) opportunity with 499 Squadron, so I was much better prepared for the visit to Number 1 AEF at RAF St Athan.

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t at its best today.  We’d had a few showers during the journey, so we were wondering if we would get to fly. 

When we arrived, we were given the safety brief which included the DVD and instruction on how to use the life jackets.  At No 1 AEF we nearly always fly over the sea, so we are issued with life jackets as an extra safety precaution.

I was instructed to walk to the aircraft at about 9:15 where my pilot greeted me.  I was strapped into the aircraft by a Squadron staff member and asked if I was ok.

At this point my pilot Flt Lt Hilliker briefed me on today’s sortie, and while doing so started his pre-flight checks.  I noticed he checked the fuel pump, instruments, and ensured that he had full and free movement of the control column.  Before we taxied he requested permission from the control tower to proceed, and visually checked that there were no other vehicles or aircraft before moving off.

While we were taxing Flt Lt Hilliker explained we would be flying out in formation with Wg Cdr Dowling and Cdt Jordanna Eley.  When we got to the end of the runway we parked the aircraft at the side of the other Tutor, and waited for clearance from tower. Wg Cdr Dowling and Cdt Jordanna Eley took off first and then we followed as soon as they were airborne.

As we were flying away from RAF St Athan we were told that Cardiff’s radar was down so we were instructed to maintain a height of 1300 feet until we reached Port Talbot.

My pilot asked me would I like to take control of the aircraft, to which I said “yes Sir”.  He showed me how the 'picture' from the cockpit window should look, and asked me to keep the aircraft flying straight and level with that picture remaining the same.  He pointed to an area where he wanted to go, and asked me to fly the aircraft in that direction.  At this point he asked me if I would like to do some aerobatics, and then he said “I have control”. After doing our aerobatic sequence (which was great) we headed back via Porthcawl to Nash Point to meet up once again with the Wing Commander.

We followed the Wing Commander back to the airfield where we both flew full throttle over the runway, did a 360° turn, and landed safely in tandem

While we were taxing back to the holding area, I chatted with my pilot and thanked him for another wonderful experience.

Thank you also - Paddy, and all the Officers and Staff at No 1 AEF.