Australian Air Force Cadet gliding course held in Charters Towers from the 18th September until the 2nd of October 2011.

The North Queensland Soaring Centre recently held a two week 'gliding camp' for seven members of the Australian Air Force Cadets.  These cadets came from different squadrons in the region from Mareeba to Bowen and were sucessful in gaining a scholarship from the Cadet system. 

One cadet, Andre Le Feuvre, flew his first solo on the last day of the camp.  He turns 16 years of age later in the year.  All cadets were of an outstanding calibre, keenly interested in learning to glide and welcomed this opportunity.

The North Queensland Soaring Centre is now well placed to conduct training for the AAFC having two very experienced instructors who themselves spent time previously in the military.  Between them both these instructors have spent over 70 years within professional aviation having logged 25,000 hours of flying.  They also run a recreational aviation school in Charters Towers. 

Following are photos of the recent AAF Cadet course.

Head honch of the Australian Air Force Cadets SqdnLdr Rus Pyres (in camms) talking with CCPL Andre Le Feuvre before his next flight, along with Steve Clements and the club CFI Bernie Fisher. 

CCPL Zak Farrugia from Mareeba kicking back relaxing before his next flight.  Zak is looking for a posting to C130s (Tactical) after he is finished here flying the Twin Astir.  Having pushed back the Twin Astir many time he reckons that there could not possibly be much of a weight difference between the two.

LCDT Joshua Sturre from Tully wrestles with trying to understand the cosmic order of things after he experienced a lesson on stalling and spinning, while

CCPLs Andre Le Feuvre (Ayr) and Louise Stout study for their pre-solo exams.

The NQSC president and instructor Alan Cameron, one of the instructors on the cadet course.

SqdnLdr (AAFC) Geoff Strange and CSGT Harry Stirling ascertain and discuss the state of readiness of the 'winch parachute auto dumper' after retrieving the winch wire.  Notice the reversing lights?!

Some of the crew push back the Twin Astir in readiness for its next flight

CCPL Louise Stout from Innisfail enjoys a light moment prior to launch. 

CSGT Harry Stirling from Bowen enjoyed his time in Charters Towers.  He liked the idea of not having to walk around the Towers having to hold his hat from blowing off, however with the windy conditions we had in the Towers for the camp he felt quite at home.

Steve Clements looks out onto the airfield through squinted eyes; was the wind and dust really too much Harry?

Steve Clements has his own sailplane, a Hornet but has donated his time to 'fly' the winch for the cadets for the duration of the course. He launched different gliders nearly 180 times during the period.  He is now all but deaf. 

Assisting to change the wire is an old stalwart of the club, John Prideaux who advises the club on anything mechanical and non mechanical: Members listen.  His part time job is with a local company, Douglas Coaches, whose owner, Rob Douglas is a past president of the club.

Robbie Treier is the clubs youngest member and at 14 years of age is already able to take his instructor for a 'trouble free flight'.  Robbie is a Cadet with the Charters Towers 108 Squadron was too young to snare a scholarship this year but came out for a few days to lend a hand with keeping the program flying.  Australian gliding champians should be real afraid of Robbie taking their crown in future Australian Open Champianships!

CCPL Andre Le Feuvre just before his first solo in the IS28.

SSGT Shane Sullivan from Charters Towers talking with LCDTs Liam Perry from Townsville, and Joshua Sturre from Tully whilst waiting for his turn to fly.

LCDT Liam Perry about to take another lesson in the IS28.  Liam is from Townsville and is looking to join the Air Force as a pilot when he graduates from school.

Of the seven cadets on course four are keen on joining the military as pilots.