TASTE OF ROYALTY FOR HITCHIN

By FLT LT ERICA VEY

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Four cadets and a staff member from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron experienced a taste of the high life, with a flight in a BAe 146 aircraft on Monday, 24 November.

This was no ordinary flight as the aircraft was part of 32 (The Royal) Squadron based at RAF Northolt. The aircraft is usually busy flying The Queen, members of the Royal Family, VIPs and Politicians - but this was a training flight and the cadets of 1066 were given the opportunity to come along for the sortie.

It was a very early start for the group with an 0730hrs arrival at the departure lounge. On the road at 0545 hrs, 1066 Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Erica Vey, I/Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell, Cpl Matthew Woodward and Cdts Hope Wagstaffe and Holly Somerville survived the motorway traffic to arrive at the departure lounge with 15 minutes to spare!

Seven other Air Cadets from as far afield as Wales joined the 1066 group for a briefing on the aircraft and busy day that lay ahead. The flying commenced just before 0900 hrs and the group returned to RAF Northolt at gone 1600 hrs. The flight saw the aircraft stop at various places including Liverpool, Plymouth, London City and Guernsey.

The cadets enjoyed exploring the aircraft and sitting in the very seat The Queen uses on the aircraft. A hot meal was also kindly provided by the crew. After a long but exciting day, the cadets returned to their squadron for a regular parade night.

Flt Lt Vey, who organised the trip, said: "This was a superb experience, particularly for the cadets who have never flown in an aircraft of this size, having only flown in light aircraft with the ATC. The RAF Northolt personnel were fantastic and we are truly grateful for their hospitality."

Cadet Holly Somerville (15) added: "It was an amazing opportunity - not very many people can say that they have flown with The Royal Squadron."