Liverpool University Air Squadron - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Liverpool University Air Squadron (LUAS) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Liverpool

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...

, University of Lancaster, Bangor University

Bangor University

Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales-United Kingdom.It was officially known for most of its history as the University College of North Wales...

and Liverpool John Moores University

Liverpool John Moores University

Liverpool John Moores University is a British 'modern' university located in the city of Liverpool, England. The university is named after John Moores and was previously called Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts and later Liverpool Polytechnic before gaining university status in 1992, thus...

. The idea behind all University Air Squadrons is to allow potential RAF officers to experience life in service and to allow them to decide whether they are suited to it. There is no obligation to join up, unless a bursary

Bursary

A bursary is strictly an office for a bursar and his or her staff in a school or college.In modern English usage, the term has become synonymous with "bursary award", a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education.According to The...

is successfully applied for.
LUAS is parented by RAF Woodvale

RAF Woodvale

RAF Woodvale is a Royal Air Force Station located south of Southport, Merseyside in a small town called Formby. Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, it did not open until 7 December 1941...

where it flies Tutor aircraft.

Training nights are held on Tuesday evenings at LUAS THQ, RAF Woodvale and are compulsory for Officer Cadets. Christmas (Freshers' Camp), Easter and Summer Training periods, each of a week long are held at RAF Woodvale to further the development of members through flying, adventurous training and force development.

Flying

Students follow a modified form of the Elementary Flying Syllabus covering the basics of flight up to solo navigation exercises. Students that complete this initial syllabus can then progress to the Advanced Flying Syllabus and learn formation flying, aerobatics, and low level navigation skills. Each student is officially allocated 10 hours of flying training each year, though occasionally some flyers exceed this amount. Some individuals apply for a PPL

Private Pilot License

A Private Pilot License or, in the United States of America, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a license that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately . The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority , but the actual...

from their flying experience on the UAS.

The flying aspect of the LUAS is overseen by the Commanding Officer

Commanding officer

The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...

(OC LUAS) and the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), both of which are RAF Qualified Flying Instructors (QFI). Additional Instructors are sometimes available on flying Training Periods.

All flying is based at RAF Woodvale

RAF Woodvale

where the Grob Tutor is used as the instructional aircraft.

The Core UAS Flying Syllabus is as follows;

Familiarisation 0:30 (dual)
Effects of Controls 1 0:45 (dual)
Effects of Controls 2 0:45 (dual)
Straight & Level 1 0:45 (dual)
Straight & Level 2 0:45 (dual)
Climbing & Descending 1/Medium Turns 1:15 (dual)
Climbing and Descending 2 1:00 (dual)
Stalling 1 1:00 (dual)
Stalling 2 1:00 (dual)
Circuits 1:00 (dual)
Circuits 1:00 (dual)
Circuits – First Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:05 (solo)
Circuits - Dual/Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:30 (solo)
Circuits - Dual/Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:30 (solo)
Circuits - Dual/Solo 0:30 (dual) 0:30 (solo)
Forced Landings 1:00 (dual)
Forced Landings 1:00 (dual)
Sector Recognition 0:50 (dual)
Solo Sector Recognition 1:00 (solo)
Steep Turns 0:50 (dual)
Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
Basic Instrument Flying 1:00 (dual)
Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
Basic Instrument Flying 1:00 (dual)
Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
Navigation 1:00 (dual)
Solo GH 1:00 (solo)
Navigation (Land away) 1:15 (dual)
Navigation (RTB) 1:15 (dual)
Navigation 1:15 (dual)
Solo Navigation 1:15 (solo)

Successful completion of the Core Syllabus qualifies the student pilot for the award of the Preliminary Flying Badge, or 'Budgie Wings' as they are sometimes called.

Adventurous Training

LUAS participates in many forms of adventurous training, including climbing

Climbing

Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...

, canoeing

Canoeing

Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....

, kayaking

Kayaking

Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...

, mountaineering

Mountaineering

Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...

, sailing

Sailing

Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...

, ski touring

Ski touring

Ski touring is a form of backcountry skiing involving traveling over the winter landscape on skis under human power rather than through the assistance of ski lifts or snow vehicles. It can take place in terrain ranging from perfectly flat to extremely steep...

and mountain biking

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...

. The squadron's Ground Training Instructor (GTI), an NCO

Non-commissioned officer

A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...

, facilitates many of the above activities, but most activities and exercises are organised by students - either individually, or in small groups.

LUAS relies heavily on student instructors for adventurous training (AT). Qualifications can be gained by attending a Joint Services Adventure Training (JSAT) course, which is usually free. Students attending will be taught the necessary techniques for successful and safe instruction in their chosen discipline, and can then lead others on AT.

Expeditions Abroad

LUAS members are fortunate to be in a position to organise and participate in overseas expeditions. In previous years small deployments to Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, and dog sledding, and skiing in the European Alps have been popular and worthwhile ventures. A week in Germany in the summer of 2008 included rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking and paddle sport.

With new austerity measures sweeping all public services in the UK, overseas expeditions are increasingly rare. However in 2010 a LUAS student organised an exchange with the RAAF in Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, by funding the transportation to and from the country.

With an enhanced emphasis on expeditions, the RAF no longer supports exclusive downhill skiing and instead focuses on the significantly more arduous ski touring.

Mountaineering and Rock Climbing

In addition to larger expeditions, weekends in the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Lancashire

Lancashire

Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...

countryside, Snowdonia

Snowdonia

Snowdonia is a region in north Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three National Parks in Wales, in 1951.-Name and extent:...

National Park and Brecons Beacons of Wales to improve climbing and mountaineering skills are a regular occurrence. Organised and led by students, with little staff involvement, these weekends are excellent for fine tuning leadership skills and practicing being adaptable and flexible.

Yacht Sailing

LUAS members have the opportunity to go yacht sailing on a regular basis - students can organise expeditions at any time of the year through the Joint Services Adventurous Training Centre. Student instructors are only too happy to take personnel sailing and teach them how to effectively crew a 30+ foot yacht. Apart from teaching the skills required to sail a yacht from A to B, students get used to living in close quarters with one another with few luxuries, and are often be tested by the weather. A high degree of autonomy is enjoyed - improving leadership, communication and awareness skills being the primary objectives. In Summer 2010, a two week expedition led by a student along the south coast of the UK reached Dartmouth in fairly challenging weather.

Joining

Students can join LUAS in any year at university and usually stay for two years, provided their attitude and commitment are good. Students from higher education establishments around the North West may apply to join, but due to time and personnel constraints, LUAS only attends the University Fresher's Fairs of Liverpool and LAncaster. Students who are deemed an asset may be invited to continue their careers with LUAS and stay for a further year, subject to them remaining in university and remaining committed to the squadron.
To join, students simply attend a Fresher's Fair at university and talk to one of the students.
After completing the joining process a successful student would be attested and become a member of the Volunteer Reserve

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...

Fitness

Once attested, students have to pass a medical and a fitness test. The standard is 9.10 on the bleep test, 20 press up

Press up

For the 2004 single by Freestylers, see Push UpA push-up, or in British English a press-up, is a common calisthenics exercise performed in a prone position by raising and lowering the body using the arms...

s and 35 sit ups

Sit-up (exercise)

The sit-up is a strength training exercise commonly performed with the aim of strengthening the hip flexors and abdominal muscles. It begins with lying with the back on the floor, typically with the arms across the chest or hands behind the head and the knees bent in an attempt to reduce stress on...

. While these are the minimum standards for joining, individuals who are fitter tend to benefit more from UAS membership.

Bursaries

Bursaries are available for most branches and can be applied for before joining (conferring automatic UAS membership) or after joining a UAS.
The current system gives a successful candidate £6,000 over the course of their degree.
The application process consists of an informal chat with UAS staff or an interview at a career office, for UAS members and non-members respectively. If successful an invitation for selection at the OASC

Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre

The Royal Air Force Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre, located at Adastral Hall, RAF Cranwell, is the centre through which every potential RAF officer must go to be selected for Initial Officer Training . The Selection Centre is attached to 2 large hangars, plus the Candidates Mess. The centre...

may follow.
Successful applicants will be expected to be an example on their squadron and must join the RAF on completion of their degrees, or return all bursary monies.

Structure

While LUAS is generally operated informally, a command structure does exist. The Commanding Officer

Commanding officer

(OC LUAS) has overall responsibility, supported by the Adjutant

Adjutant

Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...

who oversees administrative tasks and is supported by office staff at the squadron's headquarters.
The student body has a Senior Student, usually an Acting Pilot Officer

Acting Pilot Officer

Acting Pilot Officer is the lowest commissioned grade in the Royal Air Force, being immediately junior to Pilot Officer. Unlike other RAF ranks which officers may hold in an acting capacity, Acting Pilot Officer is maintained as a separate grade. It normally denotes an officer who has recently...

(APO) who is essentially heads up the student body, and aside from the extra commitment organising activities, he or she acts as a liaison to the permanent staff.
The Senior Student is supported APOs, who oversee the students participation at the airfield and on other aspects respectively.

They are assisted by an executive committee which is chosen from the student body each year. Positions include Adventurous Training Executive, Sports Executive, Charity and PR (Public Relations) Executive, Force Development Executive and Entertainments Executive.
There is a Mess Secretary who records the minutes of Executive Committee meetings and oversees the Mess Committee (below).
A Mess Committee is also elected each year, the above roles serve the function of allowing LUAS to efficiently organise and de-conflict events and activities in a coherent manner.

External links

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