Press Release

28 January 2010

Rotary Reward

Being able to fly a helicopter is a dream that many young people have but for one very lucky Air Cadet the dream has become a reality.

Sergeant Nicholas Every, 16 yrs, was fortunate enough to fly a Royal Navy Lynx Mk6 helicopter for an hour, courtesy of 702 Naval Air Squadron.

Nicholas, who was 134 (Bedford) Squadron’s Cadet of the Year for 2009, is seeking a career in the Fleet Air Arm and to reward him for being an outstanding cadet, the Squadron arranged a very special flight for him.

702 Naval Air Squadron is based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, in Somerset, and operates the Westland Lynx. The primary purpose of the Squadron is to provide training for aircrew and maintenance personnel on the maritime Lynx, to fit them for service in Ship’s Flights. 702 NAS is also the parent Squadron for the ‘Black Cats’ Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team.

Following an introduction and briefing on the role of 702 Naval Air Squadron by his pilot, Lieutenant Chris Chambers Royal Navy, Sgt Every was issued with his flying clothing and given a comprehensive aircraft safety brief.

Lieutenant Chris Chambers, who himself is a former Air Cadet, is a Senior Instructor with 702 Squadron and also ‘Black 2’ one of two pilots in the 2010 ‘Black Cats’ display team.

Sgt Every’s flight was in one of two specially painted helicopters displaying the distinctive colour scheme of the ‘Black Cats’

Taking the controls and flying the Lynx was the order of the day and Sgt Every was able to hover the aircraft and perform some basic manoeuvres during his one hour sortie. He was also shown some of the display routine by Lt Chambers and some tactical flying used to insert troops into combat zones.

Warrant Officer Paul Taylor who organised the flight said, “I cannot thank the Royal Navy enough for providing this unique opportunity to Sgt Every. I don’t think that there are many cadets who have flown in a Navy Lynx and been allowed to fly the aircraft for themselves. This experience has cemented Sgt Every’s determination to join the Fleet Air Arm in the near future.”

The Fleet Air Arm is the Royal Navy's air force. It numbers some 6200 people, which is 11.5% of the total Royal Naval strength, operating about 200 combat aircraft and over 50 support/training aircraft. Its helicopters and fixed wing aircraft provide the Royal Navy with a multi-role airborne combat capability able to operate independently at short notice, in all environments, day and night, over the sea and land.

Bookmark this page with: Del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit | Facebook | StumbleUpon