University Air Squadron
Encyclopedia
University Air Squadrons are training units of the Royal Air Force
which primarily provide basic flying training, force development and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities. These units exist to provide a taste of life in the Service and give experience to their members to take up a career as an officer in one of the RAF's many branches.
Members are expected to attend training nights, usually on a weekly basis, as well as attending several annual training camp. The flying syllabus of 31 sorties loosely follows Elementary Flying Training (EFT), and allows a student to do approximately ten to fifteen hours of flying per year. This is supplemented with ground training, and adventurous training both in this country and abroad.
They are part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve
(RAFVR). Many UASs are parents to Air Experience Flight
s (AEF) which provide experience of flying to Air Cadets
. Most students hold the rank of Officer Cadet, which has the status and privileges - but not the rank - of an Officer. Some may obtain commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer
. Medicine and dentistry students, on obtaining a Cadetship, are also commissioned into the RAF in the rank of Pilot Officer, and are offered a salary, and following graduation will be promoted to Flying Officer
whilst their medical training continues, prior to commencing Initial Officer Training.
Just prior to World War II
the squadrons were an important source of pilots for the RAF during the Battle of Britain
. Cadets who were already members of the RAFVR were called up for active service in the middle of studying for their degrees.
The Core UAS Flying Syllabus is as follows;
Successful completion of the Core Syllabus qualifies the student pilot for the award of the Preliminary Flying Badge, or 'Budgie Wings' as they are sometimes called.
For those Officer Cadets who finish the Core syllabus with time remaining on the squadron, an advanced syllabus has recently been introduced consisting of Aerobatics, Formation Flying and Low Level Navigation. There is no specific time requirement as with the core syllabus, as progression in the advanced phase is down to rate at which the student pilot is able to achieve the desired results.
Beyond flying, UASs follow a loose overall training syllabus. Though squadrons generally do not follow the syllabus as a training plan, the majority of subjects are covered at some point through the students' academic year. These can include attending Adventure Training expeditions, both overseas and within the UK, learning drill, undertaking a fieldcraft exercise such as the recent 'Strike' exercises run at RAFC Cranwell, understanding the principles of air power and developing leadership skills.
As the UAS continues to move beyond its former role of providing Elementary Flying Training to RAF Direct Entry students and UAS Students, more and more ground training opportunities are becoming available, making the UASs more suitable for Officer Cadets pursuing careers in the military other than aircrew.
UAS Officer Cadets are required to attend a minimum of one training night a week which usually involves a guest speaker taking a lecture on an aspect of the RAF or the military to develop service knowledge, and a two week period of continuous training in the summer. Most squadrons however also offer camps at Easter, Christmas, and September for Officer Cadets to undertake intensive blocs of sport, flying and adventure training.
Additionally, each student is offered a week long Summer Vacation Attachment at another RAF base, where they are seconded to an active regular RAF unit to learn more about their role.
The UASs hold annual sporting competitions such as;
Additionally, there are frequent squadron expeditions in areas such as the Lake District
, Force Development Training Centre Fairbourne, and overseas in countries such as Italy, Spain and Canada. These 'expeds' can include all manner of AT, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, white water rafting, dog sledding, coasteering, gorge walking, canoeing, and many more.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
which primarily provide basic flying training, force development and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities. These units exist to provide a taste of life in the Service and give experience to their members to take up a career as an officer in one of the RAF's many branches.
Members are expected to attend training nights, usually on a weekly basis, as well as attending several annual training camp. The flying syllabus of 31 sorties loosely follows Elementary Flying Training (EFT), and allows a student to do approximately ten to fifteen hours of flying per year. This is supplemented with ground training, and adventurous training both in this country and abroad.
They are part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...
(RAFVR). Many UASs are parents to Air Experience Flight
Air Experience Flight
An Air Experience Flight is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to Air Cadets or the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force...
s (AEF) which provide experience of flying to Air Cadets
Air Cadet Organisation
The Air Cadet Organisation is the collective name for the UK cadet forces sponsored by the Royal Air Force. The organisation is subordinate to No. 22 Group RAF, with a serving RAF officer as Commandant Air Cadets. The current Commandant is Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE...
. Most students hold the rank of Officer Cadet, which has the status and privileges - but not the rank - of an Officer. Some may obtain commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer
Acting Pilot Officer
Acting Pilot Officer is the lowest commissioned grade in the Royal Air Force, being immediately junior to Pilot Officer. Unlike other RAF ranks which officers may hold in an acting capacity, Acting Pilot Officer is maintained as a separate grade. It normally denotes an officer who has recently...
. Medicine and dentistry students, on obtaining a Cadetship, are also commissioned into the RAF in the rank of Pilot Officer, and are offered a salary, and following graduation will be promoted to Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
whilst their medical training continues, prior to commencing Initial Officer Training.
Just prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the squadrons were an important source of pilots for the RAF during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. Cadets who were already members of the RAFVR were called up for active service in the middle of studying for their degrees.
Training
Most UAS training is a cut down version of EFT and focuses on training the student to various levels of solo standard.The Core UAS Flying Syllabus is as follows;
- Familiarisation 0:30 (dual)
- Effects of Controls 1 0:45 (dual)
- Effects of Controls 2 0:45 (dual)
- Straight & Level 1 0:45 (dual)
- Straight & Level 2 0:45 (dual)
- Climbing & Descending 1/Medium Turns 1:15 (dual)
- Climbing and Descending 2 1:00 (dual)
- Stalling 1 1:00 (dual)
- Stalling 2 1:00 (dual)
- Circuits 1:00 (dual)
- Circuits 1:00 (dual)
- Circuits – First Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:05 (solo)
- Circuits - Dual/Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:30 (solo)
- Circuits - Dual/Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:30 (solo)
- Circuits - Dual/Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:30 (solo)
- Forced Landings 1:00 (dual)
- Forced Landings 1:00 (dual)
- Sector Recognition 0:50 (dual)
- Solo Sector Recognition 1:00 (solo)
- Steep Turns 0:50 (dual)
- Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
- Basic Instrument Flying 1:00 (dual)
- Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
- Basic Instrument Flying 1:00 (dual)
- Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
- Navigation 1:00 (dual)
- Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
- Navigation (Land away) 1:15 (dual)
- Navigation (RTB) 1:15 (dual)
- Navigation 1:15 (dual)
- Solo Navigation 1:15 (solo)
Successful completion of the Core Syllabus qualifies the student pilot for the award of the Preliminary Flying Badge, or 'Budgie Wings' as they are sometimes called.
For those Officer Cadets who finish the Core syllabus with time remaining on the squadron, an advanced syllabus has recently been introduced consisting of Aerobatics, Formation Flying and Low Level Navigation. There is no specific time requirement as with the core syllabus, as progression in the advanced phase is down to rate at which the student pilot is able to achieve the desired results.
Beyond flying, UASs follow a loose overall training syllabus. Though squadrons generally do not follow the syllabus as a training plan, the majority of subjects are covered at some point through the students' academic year. These can include attending Adventure Training expeditions, both overseas and within the UK, learning drill, undertaking a fieldcraft exercise such as the recent 'Strike' exercises run at RAFC Cranwell, understanding the principles of air power and developing leadership skills.
As the UAS continues to move beyond its former role of providing Elementary Flying Training to RAF Direct Entry students and UAS Students, more and more ground training opportunities are becoming available, making the UASs more suitable for Officer Cadets pursuing careers in the military other than aircrew.
UAS Officer Cadets are required to attend a minimum of one training night a week which usually involves a guest speaker taking a lecture on an aspect of the RAF or the military to develop service knowledge, and a two week period of continuous training in the summer. Most squadrons however also offer camps at Easter, Christmas, and September for Officer Cadets to undertake intensive blocs of sport, flying and adventure training.
Additionally, each student is offered a week long Summer Vacation Attachment at another RAF base, where they are seconded to an active regular RAF unit to learn more about their role.
Sports and adventure training
In accordance with the overall UAS syllabus, there are many opportunities for Officer Cadets to participate in inter-UAS sports competitions and adventure training expeditions.The UASs hold annual sporting competitions such as;
- The Balti Cup (Football)
- Rugby 7s
- Hockey
- Rowing
- Bisley Shooting Competition
- Cricket
Additionally, there are frequent squadron expeditions in areas such as the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
, Force Development Training Centre Fairbourne, and overseas in countries such as Italy, Spain and Canada. These 'expeds' can include all manner of AT, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, white water rafting, dog sledding, coasteering, gorge walking, canoeing, and many more.
Units and base locations
- UBASBirmingham University Air SquadronThe University of Birmingham Air Squadron, commonly known as UBAS, is a squadron within the Royal Air Force established in 1942. It is based at RAF Cosford, Shropshire, and flies a fleet of five Grob Tutors. In 2009 the squadron upgraded the aircraft to the Grob Tutor EA which has an advanced...
/ 8 AEF at DCAE Cosford - BUAS / 3 AEF at Colerne AirfieldColerne AirfieldColerne Airfield , formerly known as RAF Colerne, is located at Colerne, Wiltshire, England.By October 1940 RAF Colerne was still partly in the course of construction being a fighter station for the defence of Bristol. At that date the contractors were still building and the ground was a quagmire...
- CUASCambridge University Air SquadronCambridge University Air Squadron, abbreviated CUAS, formed in 1925, is the training unit of the Royal Air Force at the University of Cambridge and forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. It is the oldest of 14 University Air Squadrons in the UK...
/ 5 AEF at RAF WytonRAF WytonRAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It... - EMUAS / 7 AEF at RAF CranwellRAF CranwellRAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
- ESUASEast of Scotland Universities Air SquadronThe East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron , commonly known as ESUAS [spoken - eez-you-aiiiiii-s], is a squadron within the Royal Air Force established in 2003 as an amalgamation of "East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron" and "Aberdeen, Dundee and St. Andrew's Universities Air Squadron". It...
/ 12 AEF at RAF LeucharsRAF LeucharsRAF Leuchars is the most northerly air defence station in the United Kingdom. It is located in Leuchars, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland, near to the university town of St Andrews.-Operations:... - UGSASUniversities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air SquadronUniversities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron is a Royal Air Force University Air Squadron drawing its members from six higher education establishments within Glasgow and its surrounding areas....
/ 4 AEF at Glasgow International AirportGlasgow International AirportGlasgow International Airport is an international airport in Scotland, located west of Glasgow city centre, near the towns of Paisley and Renfrew in Renfrewshire... - LUASLiverpool University Air SquadronLiverpool University Air Squadron is a training unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Liverpool, University of Lancaster, Bangor University and Liverpool John Moores...
at RAF WoodvaleRAF WoodvaleRAF Woodvale is a Royal Air Force Station located south of Southport, Merseyside in a small town called Formby. Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, it did not open until 7 December 1941... - ULAS at RAF WytonRAF WytonRAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It...
- MASUAS Air Squadron / 10 AEF at RAF WoodvaleRAF WoodvaleRAF Woodvale is a Royal Air Force Station located south of Southport, Merseyside in a small town called Formby. Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, it did not open until 7 December 1941...
- NUAS / 11 AEF at RAF LeemingRAF LeemingRAF Leeming is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire, UK.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Leeming. The Station Commander is Group Captain Anthony Innes....
- OUASOxford University Air SquadronThe Oxford University Air Squadron, abbreviated O. U. Air Squadron, Oxford UAS, or OUAS, formed in 1925, is the training unit of the Royal Air Force at the University of Oxford and forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve....
/ 6 AEF at RAF BensonRAF BensonRAF Benson is a Royal Air Force station near Benson in South Oxfordshire, England. It is home to the Royal Air Force's support helicopters, the Aérospatiale Puma and the EH-101 Merlin, known as the Puma HC.Mk 1 and the Merlin HC.Mk 3 and Mk 3a.... - SUASSouthampton University Air SquadronSouthampton University Air Squadron is a training unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Bournemouth University and Southampton...
/ 2 AEF at Boscombe Down - UWAS / 1 AEF at MOD St Athan
- YUAS / 9 AEF at RAF Church FentonRAF Church FentonRAF Church Fenton is a Royal Air Force airfield at Church Fenton in North Yorkshire, England.- History :Plans for a new airfield adjacent to the village of Church Fenton were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable...
See also
- Officers Training CorpsOfficers Training CorpsThe Officer Training Corps is a part of the British Army which provides military leadership training to students at UK universities...
(OTC) - organisational counterpart in the British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England... - University Royal Naval UnitUniversity Royal Naval UnitA University Royal Naval Unit is a Royal Navy training establishment connected to a university, or a number of universities concentrated in one area...
(URNU) - organisational counterpart in the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... - List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
External links
- RAF - University Air Squadrons
- UBAS - University of Birmingham Air Squadron
- UGSAS - Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
- BUAS - Bristol UAS
- CUAS - Cambridge UAS
- EMUAS - East Midlands UAS
- ESUAS - East Scotland UAS
- LUAS - Liverpool UAS
- MASUAS - Manchester and Salford UAS
- ULAS - University of London Air Squadron
- OUAS - Oxford UAS
- SUAS - Southampton UAS
- Southampton University Air Squadron - Wiki
- UWAS - Wales UAS
- YUAS - Yorkshire UAS