84 ( Coventry Airport ) Squadron had one of its most successful recruitment events to date recently, when they held an open day on Sunday 20 th April organised by C.I. Camilla Lawson.  Parents of existing cadets mixed with the parents of potential cadets whilst the potential cadets themselves had fun exploring the Squadron and trying their hand at the many activities the Squadron runs.

The cadets did an excellent job cleaning and preparing the Squadron for its visitors.  They split themselves into small groups and organised multi-media displays and demonstrations of the activities they most enjoyed taking part in. 

Adult Sergeant, Ian Hughes, supervised as one of the cadets explained how our rifles worked and what it was like to be on a shooting range.  Another cadet had laid out the work-in-progress that is our modelling diorama for the Wing Field Day, sharing the room with two enthusiastic navigators explaining the kind of work required for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  Just outside the door they had a display of campcraft, complete with tent, roll mats and lit stove cooking up a boil-in-the-bag sample for the guests to try!

Most popular of all was the demonstration of their Flight Simulator project.  The Squadron is fortunate enough to possess a Martin Baker ejector seat from a Gnat Fighter.  They've rigged this up to a joystick and a computer running a selection of Flight Sim games, with plans to do much much more.  Nearly all of the potential cadets were enthralled by the realism of the rig, with many of them eager to try their hand at flying it.

All in all, with a large number of potential new cadets, the future is looking bright for 84 Squadron, and even brighter for the Flight Sim project, with so many new cadets available to help set it up!