Young Eagles take to the Skies
RAF Halton, which is the home of sport aviation within the Royal Air Force and houses the Halton Aero Club (HAC), hosted the Young Flyers event again this week.
The HAC organise and host the event every year to enable children an opportunity to experience aviation and have been recognised as flying over 20% of all ‘Young Flyers’ in the UK. The concept originated in the USA as the Young Eagles in 1992 with the aim of flying one million children prior to the Centenary of Flight, and since its inception, over 1.5 million young people have flown for the first time within the program. However, it has been so successful at RAF Halton that the event is now in its 16th year and the aim is to engender an interest in aviation, science and technology in this next generation.
Priority for booking was given to Service families from RAF Halton, High Wycombe, Northolt, Benson, Odiham, Henlow, Wyton, Northwood HQ and MOD London. The balance of places was allocated to the children of civilian families local to RAF Halton.
The pilots were briefed beforehand by Group Captain Mark Manwaring, Chairman of the HAC, and a full check-up of their currency, licence and medical documents was carried out. Runway and weather information was supplied by Squadron Leader Gary Coleman, OC Ops, and the event was supported by Cadets from 338 (West Ham) Squadron of London Wing Air Training Corps. On arrival the children lined up to be processed and escorted to the aircraft by the pilots.
Jeremy and Miranda Hancock from Henlow brought their two sons Ben aged 9 and Zachary aged 13 who flew together. Zachary said the flight was amazing and very enjoyable, and Ben said: “The pilot told us all about G Force and asked if I would like to learn to fly so I said yes!”
Madeline Smith from Aylesbury had a flight after her parents heard about the event from a naval friend who works at RAF Halton. Madeline said: “The flight was amazing, fantastic. You can see so much more from up there and I saw the controls.”
Cpl James ‘Barnie’ Barnett from Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton brought his children, Oliver 17, and Katie 10 who thoroughly enjoyed their flight. Their little brother Lewis, aged 8, when asked if he enjoyed it, said: “Yes” asked, would you do it again: “No”.
After their flight all the children were given a certificate presented by their pilot along with a goodies bag which was kindly donated by Pooleys.
The RAF Halton Aero Club was formed in 1925 and as part of the RAF Flying Clubs Association its mission is to ‘Afford Servicemen and women, irrespective or rank or trade, the ability to learn to fly at the minimum practical cost.’ It is open to all Service personnel, dependants and a limited number of civilian members. For further details about RAF Halton Aero Club go to www.haltonaeroclub.org.uk
