Social Night at Namco Funscape

On 23rd August the squadron had a very successful social night at Namco Funscape in the Gateshead Metrocentre, .

All Cadets enjoyed their games of tenpin bowling and riding on the dodgems.

 

Recent Presentations

A number of cadets from 361 squadron recently received awards including BTEC Awards and Instructor Cadet Certificates.

Above: Cpl Michael Rear and Sergeant Chris Dolphin both received BTEC First Awards in Public Services valued at 4 GCSEs at A* to C Grades.

Above: Sergeant Jamieleigh McPake, Flight Sergeant Beth Ainsley, Sergeant Chris Dolphin and Corporal Ross Laws all received BTEC Certificates in Aviation Studies valued at 2 GCSEs at grades A* to C when they qualified as Master Cadets.

 Above: Cpl Laws, Sgt Dolphin, Flt Sgt Ainsley and Sgt McPake also received their Instructor Cadet Certificates which confirm their ability to instruct other cadets.

Annual Camp at RAF Brampton / Wyton

Between the 21st and the 28th of July, cadets from 361 (Gateshead) Squadron attended a summer camp at the twin RAF stations of Brampton / Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

During the camp cadets took part in a wide range of activities including a visit to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford (where the film "Battle of Britain" was made), target rifle shooting at RAF Wittering, flying in Tutor aircraft at RAF Wyton, swimming at RAF Henlow, and participating in a laser battle at Laserforce in Peterborough.

Other activities included visiting the Air Traffic Control tower, Fire Section and Pathfinder
 Museum at RAF Wyton and the Chiltern Air Support Unit police helicopter at RAF Henlow.

Pictured below are cadets and staff from 361 squadron alongside cadets from other squadrons from Durham/Northumberland Wing in front of the historic Brampton Park Officers' Mess.

Cadet CV

Sgt Christopher Dolphin was last night presented with a Cadet CV which is awarded to cadets when they have achieved the following goals:

• Flown in RAF training aircraft as a pilot under instruction showing confidence and ability to follow precise instructions.
• Taken part in Target Shooting which requires self-discipline and an ability to follow exact training and instructions and good Hand-eye co-ordination.
• Achieved a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - this award requires motivation and persistence and also demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team. It includes sections that require voluntary service to others, skills and physical achievements as well as an unaccompanied expedition in a small group which demands resilience and courage to complete.
• Attended a residential camp demonstrating personal organisation and the ability to interact with others.

 

Sgt Dolphin has achieved all of the above and in addition has completed a Gliding Scholarship which culminated in a solo flight in a Vigilant motor glider at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe which he achieved at the age of 16 (i.e. before he can legally drive a car on the road).

Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions

On the 5th and 6th May, nine cadets from 361 Squadron packed their rucksacks to take part in Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions in the Hadrian's Wall area in Northumberland starting in Haydon Bridge and finishing at Stonehaugh (including an overnight camp and approximately six hours of hiking on each of the two days).

The participants must be self sufficient throughout the expedition, carrying all their camping kit (including tents, sleeping bags and food) and preparing their own hot meals as well as navigating a route using map and compass. (Sat-Nav is not allowed!) Each participant must complete both a practice and an actual expedition to qualify for this part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Pictured above at the start of the expedition are cadets Robbie Graham, Lloyd and Harvey Simpson, Josh Gordon, Matthew Purdy, Paul Dixon, Alice McGregor, Ellisha Clelland and Sam Hogg. (Cadets Graham, Gordon and Purdy completed their actual expeditions whilst the remaining six took part in a practice expedition.)

Gliding Course Success

Cadets Robbie Graham, Alice McGregor and Matthew Rutland today completed their first Gliding Induction Courses with 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire. During their flights all three cadets took control of the aircraft under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

With a Vigilant Motor Glider are: (from left to right) Cdts McGregor, Rutland & Graham

This course (known as a GIC 1) is the first of a series of three courses which are designed to teach the basic effect of the controls of the Vigilant Motor Glider and can later lead to the award of a gliding scholarship (once over the age of 16) where a cadet is taught to fly the aircraft up to solo standard.

Click here to find out more about Flying and Gliding with the Air Cadets and click here to go to the 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron website..

361 Squadron BTECH Awards

Four Cadets from 361 squadron were presented with their BTECH First Diploma in Public Services on Thursday, 26th April. This internationally respected qualification is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at A* to C level.

Pictured above with their certificates are three of the cadets who gained awards (from left to right) Sergeant Beth Ainsley and Corporals Ross Laws and Jamie-Lee McPake.

To find out more about the BTEC awards available to cadets visit the Training and the BTEC Qualifications page on the sqaudron website by clicking here.