| Two air cadets from Herts & Bucks Wing Air Training Corps recently spent two days at RAF Marham as a part of their prize following their success in the Wing's competition to find the "best" cadets for 1999/2000. |
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Flt Sgt Nic Knevitt 871 (Penn) Sqn and Sergeant Craig Harding 57 (Potters Bar) Sqn |
The plan had been to fly 17 year old
Flight Sergeant Nic Knevitt from 871 (Penn) Squadron and 18 year old Sergeant
Craig Harding from 57 (Potters Bar) Squadron in Canberra T4s of 39 Squadron
(1PRU) who were winners, respectively, of the prestigious Allan Payne and
Douglas Haynes trophies.
The visit to Marham started with an over night stay on the Station on Sunday and
a 10-pin bowling game that left the cadets well ahead of their Staff escorts.
Bright and early on the Monday the cadets reported to 39 Squadron to be measured
for their flying clothing. At this point it was found that Flt Sgt Knevitt was
too light for the ejection seat limits and would have to stay on the ground.
Once it was realised that Flt Sgt Knevitt could not fly it was arranged for her
to do some work experience within the radio engineering areas, her preferred
career choice, and she spent the rest of the day travelling around various
sections on the Station working on equipment associated with the Instrument
Landing System (ILS). While the Flt Sgt was on her work experience a flight had
been arranged for the next day in a Jetstream of 45 (R) Sqn at RAFC Cranwell .
Sgt Harding was measured for and issued with flying suit, boots, gloves and
flying helmet. After lunch it was time for the "seat brief" during
which the operations of the Martin Baker Mk3 ejection seat were explained. Sgt
Harding was then given a close inspection of the Canberra T4 so that he could
see at first hand where he would be sitting for his flight; right up alongside
the pilot.
Bright and early on the Tuesday (06:45 to be precise) Flt Sgt Knevitt left
Marham for Cranwell with Warrant Officer Gill Macaree from 2409 (Halton) Sqn ATC
as her driver. Meanwhile, Sgt Harding reported to 39 Sqn for the 08:15 Met
brief, where he sat-in with the Sqn's aircrews to receive the day's weather and
engineering updates. Next he was shown some of the images taken by 39 Sqn's PR
photo reconnaissance Canberra PR9s and was briefed on how the Sqn arranges to
fly its multitude of taskings. After that it was over to the Medical Centre
where he was declared fit to fly in fast jets.
A short 'phone call and the wheels arrived to get him back to the Sqn. Sgt
Harding was then introduced to his pilot for the day, Flt Lt Craig. After
getting fully kitted-up in his flying clothing he was given the pilot's notes
cards for the Canberra T4 so that he could read-up on the various drills
required in the aircraft.
Next on the programme was a light lunch followed by the out-brief when Flt Lt
Craig and their navigator , Sqn Ldr Cole, ran through the details of the day's
flight. They were to leave Marham and head out over the coast to turn-back in
for a practice approach to RAF Coltishall then climb to altitude for some
general handling before returning to Marham for a couple of practice approaches
before landing giving an estimated flight time of 1 hour.
At 13:30 local the crew left for the aircraft. The Canberra to be used was to be
the 1954 vintage WJ874, painted to represent the prototype Canberra, VN799.
First the navigator entered the aircraft taking his place at the back of the
cockpit and when all was checked Flt Lt Craig climbed into his seat on the left
of the aircraft. On the Captain's say-so, Sgt Harding got onto his ejection seat
along side the pilot. It took a while to connect all the seat & parachute
straps, normal & emergency oxygen etc, but eventually every one was ready
for engine start.
Great plumes of smoke emerged from the starter cartridges used to fire-up both
of the Rolls Royce Avon engines. After a short while the crew door was closed
and the aircraft taxied forward. A quick check of the brakes and Flt Lt Craig
pointed the aircraft towards the runway. Afterwards, Sgt Harding commented
"…the sortie lasted 1hr 10 minutes and it was absolutely fantastic…..",
"…It was an amazing experience which I will remember forever and has
boosted my pilot ambition…".
| Also included was a fly-past of the Queen's residence at Sandringham and "..a burst of speed that was most exhilarating..". Once Sgt Harding's flight was over he finished the visit to 39 Sqn by getting his 3822 signed followed by a cup of coffee before, reluctantly, handing back all his flying clothing. |  |
Meanwhile..... Flt Sgt Knevitt and WO
Macaree were airborne over Lincolnshire flying various instrument procedures,
including ILS approaches that
allowed Knevitt to "see" the system from the user's end. Their flight
lasted for 1hr 45 mins and both were issued with headsets so that they could
hear the air/ground transmissions; and a good time was definitely had by both
passengers.
Additionally, Flt Sgt Knevitt was the Central & East Region representative
for the Millennium Falcon round the UK flight. She was flown in one for the
Corps' Vigilant motor gliders from RAF Marham to Wattisham airfield while on
Summer Camp at Marham in August. A cheque for the Region's contribution of
£55,000 was handed over by Central & East Regional Commandant Gp Capt Jon
Ford RAFR.
After dinner in the Mess on the Station the party returned home. All in all a
very memorable couple of days. Herts & Bucks Wing ATC is extremely grateful
to Wg Cmdr Howard and all at 39 Sqn (1PRU) for making the party so welcome and
to 45 (R) Sqn at Cranwell for agreeing to fly Flt Sgt Knevitt at such short
notice.