Saturday 14 th January saw 485 (Harborne and Quinton) Sqn's first visit of 2012 to 8 Air Experience Flight (AEF) based at RAF Cosford. Five cadets along with Flt Lt Jennings travelled to Cosford on what turned out to be a bright crisp day at the Shropshire air base.

Following the mandatory briefing by Flt Lt Fowler, OC 8 AEF, the cadets had a delay before flying could begin due to the icy conditions on the airfield. The temperature was -5c when we got to Cosford and Flt Lt Fowler explained that because the tutors were made of composite materials, Ice can easily form on the wings and they were not allowed to use any type of de-icer on the body of the aircraft.

However, the sun was soon over the horizon and the temperature started to rise, and the aircraft were pulled out. One of the 485 Sqn cadets was a first time flyer, the other four had flown before and they were all to experience a good deal of aerobatics in the clear blues skies over Shropshire . One cadet, Cdt Hayden Hitchman, made the mistake of asking what the pilots favourite aerobatic manoeuvre was, there then followed a series of linked moves that impressed Cdt Hitchman immensely.

Flt Lt Jennings, OC 485 Sqn commented “I would like to once again to thank Flt Lt Fowler and his staff for giving the cadets a wonderful time. All the cadets came down with tales of daring aerobatic manoeuvres and all had a wonderful day”.