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University Air Squadron




University Air Squadrons are training units of the Royal Air Force which primarily provide basic flying training and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities. These units exist to provide a taste of life in the Service and to tempt their members to take up a career as an officer in one of the many of the RAF's branches.

Members are expected to attend training nights, usually on a weekly basis, as well as attending an annual training camp. The flying syllabus of 31 sorties loosely follows Elementary Flying Training (EFT), and allows a student to do approximately ten to fifteen hours of flying per year. This is supplemented with ground training, and adventurous training both in this country and abroad.

They are considered part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve . Many UASs are parents to Air Experience Flight s (AEF) which provide experience of flying to Air Cadets . Most students hold the rank of Officer Cadet, which has the status and privileges - but not the rank - of an Officer. Some may obtain commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer. Medicine and Dentistry students, on obtaining a Cadetship, are commissioned into the RAF in the rank of Pilot Officer.

Just prior to World War II they were an important source of pilots for the RAF during the Battle Of Britain . Already members of the RAFVR, they were called up for active service in the middle of studying for their degrees.


BASE LOCATIONS


Birmingham UAS / 8 AEF at RAF Cosford

Bristol UAS / 3 AEF at Colerne Airfield

Cambridge UAS / 5 AEF at RAF Wyton

East Midlands UAS / 7 AEF at RAF Cranwell

East of Scotland UAS / 12 AEF at RAF Leuchars

Glasgow and Strathcylde UAS / 4 AEF at Glasgow International Airport

Liverpool UAS at RAF Woodvale

London UAS at RAF Wyton

Manchester & Salford UAS / 10 AEF at RAF Woodvale

Northumbrian UAS / 11 AEF at RAF Leeming

Oxford UAS / 6 AEF at RAF Benson

Southampton UAS / 2 AEF at Boscombe Down

Wales UAS / 1 AEF at RAF St Athan

Yorkshire UAS / 9 AEF at RAF Church Fenton


EXTERNAL LINKS