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22nd July 2006

Take to the skies.

‘Alpha 271, continue as briefed’. With these words, Flight Sergeant Antoni Otulakowski was given permission to take to the skies in a Vigilant powered glider, solo. On Sunday 16th July 2006, after a week of preparation and hard work on 616 Squadron, FS Otulakowski flew alone and earned his silver gliding wings.

The gliding course began on Friday 7th July with the cadets being shown to their accommodation, completing the necessary paperwork, and watching the preliminary safety video. With flying suits and teaching guides issued, all that was left was to get some sleep in order to be fresh for the next day, and the first day of flying.

As always, the first day started with the informative meteorological and operations brief, which outlines the weather to be expected during the day, and the procedures to be used, such as runways and aircraft. Mid-morning saw FS Otulakowski’s first flight, which was a basic lesson in the controls of the aircraft.

The course followed a syllabus designed to teach most aspects of flying the Vigilant, which, of course, becomes progressively harder as the week draws on. Unfortunately, some days, despite the glorious sunshine, saw the course cadets have no flying at all due to the turbulence and thermals, which are so crucial to the aircraft. This, however, only meant that the cadets were more focussed in their fewer, more intense lessons.

As the final weekend arrived, everyone grew more focussed on their flying, knowing that their performance now would mean everything to their final result. After the final lesson, engine failures after take-off (or EFATOs), was taught, everyone was hoping for their final test to go well. Before any cadet can go solo they must have a pre-solo with a very experienced instructor, if successful the instructor calls for the land rover to clear the traffic, and to be on hand for assistance, if necessary. After the tutor climbs out, the cadet will carry on and fly the circuit. 

It was, therefore, with much trepidation that FS Otulakowski climbed into the Vigilant for this, his final hurdle. Unfortunately, his first circuit was not up to scratch, nevertheless, after pushing on, the instructor made the all-important call on the radio: ‘Land Rover to runway zero-nine’. 

The only remaining task was the one that the week had been building up to; a take-off, a circuit and a landing, with all the essential checks carried out. After doing this in good fashion, Flight Sergeant Otulakowski was presented his silver wings.