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Junior Pilots Take Off With The Trust's Support
Learning to fly got a whole lot easier after the latest addition to the Junior Ranks' Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS) was officially handed over by the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT) at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
The keys to a new Tecnam P2008-JC were formally handed over to the President of the RAF Flying Clubs' Association (RAFFCA), AM Sir Chris Harper, by Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson, Chairman of RAFCT in a ceremony attended by JRPSS scholars.
The new aircraft, G-RFCB, joins her sister G-RFCA which was delivered last year and both aircraft will now form the primary aircraft fleet used to deliver JRPSS flying training at selected RAF Flying Clubs.
The aircraft were flown to the Air Tattoo, where they were on static display, by JRPSS scholars, Cpl Steve Buckley and SAC Aaron Garcha, with the former accompanied by Cpl Lauren Tidy, who completed her scholarship just before the airshow.
The single-engine civilian aircraft will aid scholars in their journey to becoming fully qualified pilots. Environmentally friendly and efficient, the aircraft are a gateway to learning how to fly more complex aircraft.
SAC Aaron Garcha, who flew the G-RFCB, said: "The unique style of the aircraft and the advanced glass cockpit allows the student to focus on the fundamentals of flying. It's a fantastic bit of kit and hopefully in the future, we'll get them all over. I think every student pilot; from the Junior Ranks all the way up to any level should be learning to fly in one of these."
Mr Richard Dawe, the scheme's administrator added: "In funding JRPSS scholarships and boosting RAFFCA's training capability, the Trust is doing a fantastic job of encouraging people into aviation. That's what we're doing. Let's get people flying."
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