This week Cdt Tom Williams, of Tenby ATC, was awarded his Leading Badge after successfully completing the syllabus and passing his exams. This classification is comprised of three sections. basic navigation, principles of flight and aircraft operation.

During basic navigation, cadets are taught how to use a compass as a navigation aid, learning how to take bearings, learning that there is more than one north and being able to apply their knowledge to get a correct bearing and learning how to more accurately read a map.

Next is principles of flight in which cadets learn just what it takes to make an aircraft fly. They are taught to understand what the different control surfaces on the aircraft are for, and to understand Newton’s First, and Third Law of Motion and the Bernoulli Principle.

Finally, cadets are introduced to the laws of the air. With no signs to help you, you need to be able to understand who has right of way and how to fly safely.

They are also taught about the aircraft of the Royal Air Force, such as what a Eurofighter looks like and how to identify other aircraft.

The Air Cadet syllabus leads towards gaining a BTEC in Aviation Studies, equivalent to four GCSEs. Cdt Williams is on his way, but there’s still a lot of work ahead of him.

“After weeks of hard work leading up to my leading qualification, I am pleased to get one step closer to my BTEC,” Cdt Williams commented.

Cdt Williams has been a member of 1284 (Tenby) Sqn for over a year now and in May completed the RAF Two-Day March at RAF Cosford, which is a 80km endurance march that takes two days to complete. He worked hard, training for one weekend a month since November, and was pleased when he was awarded his medal at the end of it.

Cdt Williams said: “Cosford was an exhausting yet enjoyable experience; it was a great opportunity for putting both mental and physical skill to the test.”

This year was the 35th anniversary of the march and to mark the occasion the marchers were given a commemorative coin.

“It was hugely satisfying when medals were given out to all of the team members,” he said.

The Air Cadet organisation also offers activities such as sports, rifle shooting and, of course, flying! If you think you’d like to join, contact them on Facebook, 1284 (Tenby) Sqn. ATC, or email FS Victoria Thomas on [email protected] to see how they can help you achieve your potential.

So well done to Cdt Williams, hopefully there will be more success for him and the squadron in the near future.