< 26th July 2007 - All Buffed Up

8th August 2007 - Roll Out >

< Back to News Archive



27th July 2007

High Performance

Flying through the Lake District at 250 feet, at 200 mph, 16 year old Air Cadet, Sergeant Sean Denham enjoyed the flight of a lifetime in a Royal Air Force Shorts Tucano T Mk 1 aircraft.

Sergeant Denham a member of 134 (Bedford) Squadron Air Cadets flew with 72 Squadron from their base at RAF Linton On Ouse, Yorkshire on Tuesday 24th July 2007.

RAF Linton On Ouse is the home of flying training in the Royal Air Force and 72 Squadron is tasked with training pilots from the Air Force and Royal Navy.

The flight was a reward for his recent achievements within the Squadron. In June, Sean led the squadron's drill team to success in the annual Wing Drill Competition and in early July he was the best student on the acclaimed Air Cadet Leadership Course held at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

During his flight captained by a Royal Australian Air Force pilot on exchange with the Royal Air Force, Sergeant Denham flew low level through the Lake District and was then allowed to take the controls and complete a loop and barrel roll.

Following his exhilarating flight Sergeant Denham said, “It was great, I just can’t believe that I have been allowed to do something like this."

Warrant Officer Taylor, who organised the flight said, “Sergeant Denham has worked extremely hard for the Squadron this year and thoroughly deserves this reward in recognition for all his achievements.”

The Shorts Tucano T1 is a single engine turboprop training aircraft with performance similar to a jet aircraft and is capable of speeds up to 315 mph.