On the 23rd of March 2014, 324 (City of Randwick) Squadron participated in a defence funded powered flying experience day at Camden airport in Sydney’s south. The powered flying experience day was one of the last for the 2013 financial year and offered 15 cadets from 324 Squadron the opportunity to experience a flight in a light aircraft including the opportunity to take the controls themselves in Piper aircraft operated by the Phoenix Flying club and Curtis Aviation. Cadet Stephen Downey of 324 Squadron has this to say of his experience:
“It’s really peaceful up in the air and you almost never want it to stop. If you do have a flying experience day take the opportunity with both hands don’t be scared it’s all part of the experience and hey you never know you could become a pilot one day.”
Cadet Downey took the time to video his experience in the air and create a video for the Australian Air Force Cadets. The event followed closely behind a gliding experience day that the Squadron participated in during February. The Commanding Officer of 324 Squadron Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) Daniel Schubert commented “The federally funded flying experience days offer cadets the opportunity to identify whether they are interested in gliding or power flying and to actually experience the ‘Air’ part of the Air Force Cadets. While flying can be an expensive pass time, opportunities like this can show that hours spent pushing trolleys or working in fast food outlets to fund lessons are well worth it. An experience like this can be the start of a lifelong career in aviation’
As a final highlight to the day Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) Bob Sheehan offered the cadets the chance to get up close with his vintage PC-3 training aircraft.
324 (City of Randwick) Squadron parades at Randwick Barracks and has members from around the eastern suburbs and lower north shore, for more information check out our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/324SQNAAFC.
