HITCHIN CADET FLYING HIGH

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
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Sgt Benjamen Reed (16) of 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron is celebrating after he gained his solo gliding scholarship wings on Sunday 14th September.

Sgt Reed completed a residential course at 616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Henlow, but bad weather prevented him from flying solo at the end of his course. He was invited back two weeks later to undergo an assessment and was then allowed to complete a solo flight.

The gliding scholarship provided Sgt Reed with over ten hours of tuition before he went solo. A written exam was also passed.

Sgt Reed who has been a member of 1066 Squadron since 2004 and hopes to be a pilot in the Royal Air Force said ‘My time with 616 VGS has been absolutely terrific. My solo flight was something I will never forget and it has been my best activity undertaken with the Corps to date. Knowing that you are being trusted with the aircraft is quite daunting at first but at the same time it is a great honour. Given the opportunity, I think every cadet should complete a gliding scholarship, it is great fun.’