University Air Squadron

This article is about the University Air Squadrons of the British Royal Air Force. For the former units of the Royal Australian Air Force, see RAAF University Squadrons.

University Air Squadron
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Training establishment
Role	Officer Training
Size	15 Squadrons ~ 1,125 students and 105 staff
Part of	No. 6 Flying Training School RAF University Service Units RAF Volunteer Reserve
Website	Official website
Insignia
Abbreviation	UAS
Aircraft flown
Trainer	Tutor T1

University Air Squadrons (UAS), are Royal Air Force training units under the command of No. 6 Flying Training School RAF. That offers training and flight training to university students, with the goal of attracting students into a career as an RAF officer after university. Primarily its goal is achieved through delivery of this training as well as force development, adventure training and leadership development to its members. These provide a taste of life in the service and to give experience to their members in preparation for taking up a career as an officer in one of the RAF's many branches, members are under no obligation to continue service after university and may resign at any time.

Members of the UAS are attested personnel of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) and are paid for their service. Upon joining students hold the rank of Officer Cadet (OF-D). Some go on to obtain commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve while still studying for their degree, Others may choose to seek a commission in the Regular or Reserve forces of the RAF after their degree, while some others choose to stop training with the RAF after leaving university.

On the run-up to World War II the squadrons were an important source of pilots for the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Officer Cadets, who were already members of the RAFVR, were called up for active service in the middle of studying for their degrees.

Many UAS squadrons are parents to Air Experience Flights (AEF) which provide an experience of flying to Air Cadets.

Training and selection

To apply for the UAS a person must be enrolled on an undergraduate course at a British University, and express an interest to their local UAS squadron at their freshers fayre, following this a prospective candidate will then submit an application. From there selection interviews take place to pick candidates who will move forward to join the UAS. Candidates must also pass a RAF entry fitness test and medical. After completing the selection process successfully candidates are formally attested and mustered at the rank of Officer Cadet, and their training can commence.

Members are expected to attend training nights, usually on a weekly basis, as well as attending several annual training camps. The flying syllabus of 56 sorties follows Elementary Flying Training (EFT). The flying training is supplemented with ground training and adventure training, both in the UK and abroad.

Flying Training

Most UAS training is a cut-down version of EFT and focuses on training the student to various levels of solo standard.

Manchester University Air Squadron Scottish Aviation Bulldog at RAF Woodvale in 1983

A Grob Tutor T1, belonging to the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, in flight over Scotland

Successful completion of the Core Syllabus qualifies the student pilot for the award of the Preliminary Flying Badge (PFB), or 'Budgie Wings' as they are sometimes called. However, each student is expected to reach solo standard before the end of their second year on the squadron. This has become one of the criteria for granting a student member a third year of membership.

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 progress in the advanced phase is made at a rate by which the student pilot is able to achieve the desired results.

Ground Training

Beyond flying, UASs follow a loose Ground Training syllabus. Although 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 from RAFC Cranwell, understanding the principles of air power and developing leadership skills. Air Power Force Development Experiences are also undertaken to encourage an understanding of air power in both a historical and contemporary context.

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. However, the emphasis and priority remain on flying as the core function of each UAS. In 2003 it was estimated that 60% of pilots recruited into the Royal Air Force came through the UAS system.

UAS Officer Cadets are required to participate in a minimum amount of training (typically one training night a week during the university terms) which usually entails a guest speaker presenting 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, students are offered a limited number week-long Summer Vacation Attachment (SVA) at another RAF base, where they are seconded to an active regular RAF unit to learn more about their role.

Adventurous Personal Development Training (APDT)

In accordance with the ground training syllabus, there are opportunities for Officer Cadets to participate in APDT.

There are frequent squadron expeditions in areas within the UK and overseas in Europe as well as Peru, Canada and Mongolia. Expeditions can include all manner of adventurous training, such as mountain biking, parachuting, alpine sports, rock climbing, abseiling, white water rafting, coasteering, gorge walking and canoeing.

Sports

In accordance with the ground training syllabus, there are many opportunities for Officer Cadets to participate in inter-UAS sports competitions.

The UASs hold annual sporting competitions such as;

• Superteams - mixed events whereby squadron's compete in a test of physical strength and courage.
• Swimming
• Football - The Broadgate Cup (named after the Town Headquarters location of East Midlands Universities Air Squadron)
• Hockey - The Balti & Korma Cup
• Volleyball
• Netball
• Cross-country running

Units and base locations

Birmingham

Bristol

Cambridge

East Midlands

East of Scotland

Glasgow & Strathclyde

Liverpool

Manchester & Salford

London

Northumbrian

Oxford

Southampton

Wales

Yorkshire

Northern Ireland

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University Air Squadrons

Name	Acronym	Flying Base
University of Birmingham Air Squadron	UBAS	RAF Cosford
Bristol University Air Squadron	BUAS	MoD Boscombe Down
Cambridge University Air Squadron	CUAS	RAF Wittering
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron	EMUAS	RAF Cranwell
East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron	ESUAS	Leuchars Station
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron	UGSAS	Glasgow Airport
Liverpool University Air Squadron	LUAS	RAF Woodvale
University of London Air Squadron	ULAS	RAF Wittering
Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron	MASUAS	RAF Woodvale
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron	NUAS	RAF Leeming
Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron	NIUAS	Aldergrove Flying Station
Oxford University Air Squadron	OUAS	RAF Benson
Southampton University Air Squadron	SUAS	MoD Boscombe Down
Universities of Wales Air Squadron	UWAS	MoD St Athan
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron	YUAS	RAF Leeming

Former squadrons

• Aberdeen Universities Air Squadron (1941-81) became Aberdeen, Dundee & St. Andrews Universities Air Squadron
• Aberdeen, Dundee & St. Andrews Universities Air Squadron (1981-2003) became East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
• Aberystwyth University Air Squadron (1941-45)
• Queens University Air Squadron (1941-96)
• Cardiff University Air Squadron (1941-43)
• Durham University Air Squadron (1941-63) became Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
• East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron (1969-2003) became East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
• Edinburgh Universities Air Squadron (1941-69) became East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron
• Exeter University Air Squadron (1941-43)
• Hull University Air Squadron (1941-69) became Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
• Leeds University Air Squadron (1941-69) became Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
• Nottingham University Air Squadron (1941-67) became East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
• St. Andrews University Air Squadron (1941-69) became East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron
• Sheffield University Air Squadron (1941-43)
• Swansea University Air Squadron (1941-46)

See also

• University Royal Naval Unit, the Royal Navy equivalent
• Officers Training Corps, the British Army equivalent
• Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, the United States Air Force equivalent
• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
• Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme

References

Bibliography

• Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.

External links

• Official website