Southampton University Air Squadron - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Southampton University Air Squadron (SUAS) 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 Southampton

University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...

, University of Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...

, Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University is a university in and around the large south coast town of Bournemouth, UK...

and Southampton Solent University

Southampton Solent University

Southampton Solent University is a university of 17,000 students based in Southampton, United Kingdom. Its main campus is located on East Park Terrace near the city centre....

. 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.
SUAS is parented by MoD Boscombe Down

MoD Boscombe Down

MoD Boscombe Down is an aircraft testing site located at Idmiston, south of Amesbury, in Wiltshire, England. It is run and managed by QinetiQ, the company created as part of the breakup of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in 2001 by the UK Ministry of Defence...

where it flies Tutor aircraft. SUAS Town Headquarters (THQ) is in Southampton City Centre.

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

Affiliated Units

SUAS parents 2 Air Experience Flight

Air Experience Flight

An Air Experience Flight is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to Air Cadets or the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force...

with which it shares aircraft to allow local cadet units the chance to experience flying.

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 SUAS 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 SUAS) 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 MoD Boscombe Down

MoD Boscombe Down

where the Grob Tutor is used as the instructional aircraft.

Adventurous Training

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

SUAS 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.

MEC Cup

In 2009, the Southampton Military Education Committee introduced a competition between the four service units based in the city. Organised by the students in the units, Thunderer Squadron (DTUS) contributed a weekend of AT in the Snowdonia National Park. Each unit had the opportunity to enter one or more teams to show off their planning, navigation and expedition skills with an air of friendly rivalry.
In 2009 Thunderer Squadron and SUAS shared joint first place in this event.
In 2010, SUAS' two teams took the first two positions.
The events were an opportunity for people from the different units to integrate in a very different environment to the comparative comfort of Southampton.

Expeditions Abroad

SUAS members are fortunate to be in a position to organise and participate in overseas expeditions. In previous years small deployments to Canada, for open canoeing and dog sledding, and skiing in the European Alps have been popular and worthwhile ventures. A week in Germany in the summer of 2010 included rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking and paddle sport.

With an enhanced emphasis on expeditions, the RAF no longer supports exclusive downhill skiing and instead focuses on the significantly more arduous ski touring. In January 2011, SUAS and Oxford UAS went on a joint expedition to Sainte Foy for this purpose.

Mountaineering and Rock Climbing

In addition to larger expeditions, weekends in the Snowdonia 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

SUAS 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 SUAS in any year at university and usually stay for two years, provided their attitude and commitment are good. Students from the Universities of Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth and other higher education establishments around Southampton may apply to join, but due to time and personnel constraints, SUAS only attends these universities' Fresher's Fairs. Students who are deemed an asset may be invited to continue their careers with SUAS and stay for a further year, subject to them remaining in university and remaining committed to the squadron.
To join, simply attend a Fresher's Fair at your 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. It's a good idea for anyone to work on their fitness whatever they do, but especially so if they wish to join SUAS. Males should aim for at least a 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

Anyone who wishes to apply for a bursary

Bursary

should first go to the RAF website.
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 SUAS is generally operated informally, a command structure does exist. The Commanding Officer

Commanding officer

(OC SUAS) 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 town 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 by a Flight Commander (Air) and Flight Commander (Ground), again 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, Tri-Service Executive, Sports Executive, Computing and Information Systems 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, positions include Shop, House and Libraries and Digital Media.
The above roles serve the function of allowing SUAS to efficiently organise and de-conflict events and activities in a coherent manner.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.