When Stephen Realf broke his thigh during a playground accident at school, it triggered a life changing series of events. Having endured a lengthy operation to insert two 40cm metal rods into his thigh, and a stay in hospital, he then found out his holiday to Lanzerote had to be cancelled, when the airline refused to let him fly with them due to his immobility.

To try and cheer their son up, his parents arranged to take him to a hotel in the Lake District, and his father Peter, took him canoeing on Lake Ullswater. While they were on the lake, several jet aircraft taking part in flying training, flew low up the lake at speed, passing overhead, before banking away and disappearing up a valley. Stephen knew in an instant what he wanted to do for a career!

On his return from the holiday, and still on crutches, Stephen joined 29F (Rugby) Squadron Air Training Corps, in Edward Street, Rugby, and spent the next five years taking part in the many activities the Squadron offer Rugby's youngsters. However, it was always flying and gliding that caught his imagination the most, and he began his tuition in a Grob Tutor training aircraft at the age of 13 years. He went flying through Cadets, with Flt.Lt. David Fowler, the Commanding Officer of 8 AEF Cosford, himself a former Tornado pilot, who always encouraged Stephen to persist with his ambition.

After 8 month on Squadron, Stephen made Corporal, and rose through the ranks to become the Cadet Warrant Officer at 29F Squadron. He said of his time with the Squadron, "Air Cadets gave me so many opportunities and new friends, and I would like to thank all the Staff and Cadets for their encouragement, friendship and support throughout my time at 29F."

Whilst still a pupil at Lawrence Sheriff School 6 th Form in Rugby, Stephen applied to join the Royal Air Force, and in March 2006 took part in an RAF selection board where he passed the medical, leadership, fitness and aptitude tests for his dream job as a pilot. Having just completed his arduous 32 week Initial Officer Training Course, he has now graduated as a commissioned Officer, from the
Royal Air Force College, RAF Cranwell.

Stephen concluded, "What started out as a disastrous event turned out to be a very lucky break indeed!"