Cpl James Hanrahan has had a bit of a roll with exams and yesterday passed his Principles of Pilot Navigation Exam. He has opted to do at home study to work towards his Senior Cadet Classification, and is now only 1 exam away from achieving it. Well done!

Congratulations to Cpl Stanhope who has been selected to attend Work Experience (virtually) for two weeks with Airbus. Airbus is an international pioneer in sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world.

Tonight was the first activity of our Cadet Chosen events. It started off with a team challenge, followed by leadership and finished by a fast paced Riddle treasurer hunt. I think they were exhausted after what sounded like a lot of running to get items! Well done everyone.

Tonight was our first serious study session for the cadets which are entering the Starchaser and Astra-Sat Space Challenge. Cpl Stanhope is completing an individual entry, And Cdt Macken is leading the team enters with Cdt Arora, Cdt Sharma and Cdt Ward in the team.

Today we are releasing the new RAFAC Training Hub. This hub has been designed to ensure that volunteers and permanent staff can access training updates, resources and information quickly and easily. The single point of entry is through Bader SharePoint...#OneFamily #aircadets

A very busy night tonight as cadet developed their debating skills. Tonight the focus was on how to open a debate, followed by a vote to have the final debate tonight on: “A full lockdown is the best method to bring a stop to the coronavirus outbreak”

Great to read the first draft of the Sqn team, and Individual entries for the Space competition. Two very different ideas developing for a low orbit satellite. One focussing on space, and one focussing more down to earth. Looking forward to seeing what they develop next Thurs

This afternoon Cdt Sharma took part in the regional “The Voice” competition. She choose to sing a song that she wrote and dedicated it to Cdt Grace Gaskell’s family. Cdt Sharma recorded her song prior to this afternoon’s competition so that we can share it with you.

Tonight was our penultimate parade evening for 2020, so it was a WO Special with a bit of Christmas Spirit. It started with a Quiz, and moved into testing STEM skills as they built Santa’s sleigh and finally delivering the presents to Staff and others

“When completing virtual work experience with Airbus, I learnt about their production process for commercial aircraft, notably the manufacturing of wings in Wales, and Airbus' role in the space sector, such as building a Mars rover - due to launch in 2022- in Stevenage.” Cpl Stan

Cadets and parents of the Squadron, please make sure you have read your emails today. If you’ve checked but not received an email from [email protected] check your junk, and if still not there please send an email to the OC and we will forward it on.

We have been very lucky tonight as we were able to hold our last parade evening face to face. The evening was a consolidation (in the form of a competition) of their online training. It covered communication skills, STEM, and team building.

Congratulations to CDT Murphy who was finally presented his Blue Leadership and Bronze First Aid badges. These were completed pre-lock down and it was fantastic to be able to present them tonight.

Congratulations to Cpl Sharma who has finally recieved her Top NCO Award from Nov 19. She had a very busy month which included playing the Last Post at Remembrance Sunday.

Tonight we sat a farewell to CI Wheatley. A corner stone m, always willing to do the jobs no one really wants to do. Most importantly she was the laughter - when things weren’t going to plan, or there was upset, or we were just tired - she would come along with a big smile.

We also say farewell to our Adj Cpl Cairns, who has been the right hand at the Sqn and making some of the wilder ideas more realistic. He brought experience, dry humour and pride to the Sqn - teaching the cadets to trust their instincts, their knowledge, and in themselves.

And finally we say goodbye to our OC, Flt Lt Cairns as she moves to Cornwall. Her message to the cadets: “You have continue to amaze me, your compassion, your dedication to the community, your competitiveness, your humour - I couldn’t be prouder to have served as your OC“

Great progress Cpl Stanhope is focusing on how reduce space debris, his focus over the next 24 hours is refining his powerpoint. The team using a pamphlet, they’ve adjusted their plan tonight so that it will work better for a satellite, their focusing is on a life saving idea