Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron

Last updated

Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Ugsas crest.jpg
Badge Of UGSAS
Active13 January 1941 – present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Branch Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Royal Air Force
RoleOfficer Training, Ab Initio Flying Training, Recruiting
Part of No. 6 Flying Training School RAF
Garrison/HQ Glasgow / Glasgow Airport
Motto(s)In Utrumque Paratus [1]
Latin: prepared for either event - giving the link between the sword of war and the dove of peace.
ColorsBlack & Gold
Equipment2x Grob Tutor T1
Insignia
Group badge The Squadron badge, approved in 1948, is described in heraldic terms "In front of a sword erect argent hilted up, a grey dove volant in bend holding in the beak a sprig of olive vert fructed sable".
Identification
symbol		UGSAS

A Royal Air Force University Air Squadron recruiting within Scotland, Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron (commonly known as UGSAS) draws its members from six higher education establishments within Glasgow and its surrounding areas.

Contents

Its headquarters are in the West End of Glasgow in the Park District and is equipped with three Grob Tutor aircraft which are based at the flying element of the squadron at Glasgow Airport.

The Squadron has approximately 65 student members—the majority of whom hold the rank of Officer Cadet as members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, and is split into three flights—Clydesdale, Houston and MacIntyre. The Squadron also hosts all DTUS students attending Strathclyde University, who form Everest Flight

The Squadron is a remote unit of 6 FTS.

History

Formation and World War Two

The Squadron was formed as Glasgow University Air Squadron on 13 January 1941, [2] initially recruiting only from the University of Glasgow and during the war years was actively engaged in the pre-entry training of students for the Royal Air Force. By the end of hostilities, some 400 members had entered the service in various aircrew categories though the Squadron did not operate aircraft during this period.

Post war changes

In 1946 the RAFVR was re-organised and the squadron was equipped with the de Havilland Tiger Moth and the Miles Magister and flying was carried out initially at the Royal Naval Air Station at Abbotsinch (HMS Sanderling), now Glasgow Airport, but when the airfield was having its runway's relaid in 1950, a move was made to Scone airfield at Perth, some 70 miles (110 km) away from Glasgow. The squadron operated there on and off until 1993. [3] At the same time the Squadron was re-equipped with the De Havilland Chipmunk. In 1965 when the Royal College of Science and Technology became Strathclyde University the squadron was renamed to its current name to reflect this change. In 1969 the Squadron moved back to the now Glasgow Airport. The Scottish Aviation Bulldog replaced the Chipmunk in 1974.[ citation needed ]

The modern squadron

More recently students from the University of Strathclyde, University of Stirling, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Caledonian University and The University of the West of Scotland have been eligible for Squadron membership [4] [5] and as of 1996 the Squadron became parent to No.4 Air Experience Flight and in March 2000 the squadron was equipped with its current aircraft, the Grob Tutor. In January 2008 the Squadron was re-organised into two flights – Clydesdale and MacIntyre – named in honour after Lord Clydesdale and David MacIntyre, both were prominent aviators in the 1930s in 602 (City Of Glasgow) Sqn RAuxAF. The Squadron detaches up to three times a year for a period of three to four weeks at a time, formerly to either RAF Kinloss or RAF Leuchars, but since those bases have closed, more normally they deploy to RAF Lossiemouth. Whilst deployed, the squadron undertakes a period of intensive flying and adventure training. [5]

Aircraft operated

Incidents

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Lossiemouth</span> Royal Air Force main operating base in Moray, Scotland

Royal Air Force Lossiemouth or more commonly RAF Lossiemouth is a military airfield located on the western edge of the town of Lossiemouth in Moray, north-east Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Benson</span> Royal Air Force main operating base in Oxfordshire, England

Royal Air Force Benson or RAF Benson is a Royal Air Force (RAF) station located at Benson, near Wallingford, in South Oxfordshire, England. It is a front-line station and home to the RAF's fleet of Westland Puma HC2 support helicopters, used primarily for the transportation of troops & equipment. Flying squadrons comprise No. 33 Squadron flying the Puma, No. 22 Squadron which provides operational evaluation and training for all aircraft in Joint Helicopter Command and No. 28 Squadron, which is the combined Puma and Boeing Chinook HC6A training unit. Other units include the Oxford University Air Squadron and No. 6 Air Experience Flight, both flying the Grob Tutor T1 light training aircraft used for student and cadet flying training. The National Police Air Service and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance are also based at the station, both operating Airbus H135 helicopters.

An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 2019, thirteen AEFs are active.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grob G 115</span> German trainer aircraft

The Grob G 115 is a general aviation fixed-wing aircraft, primarily used for flight training. It is built in Germany by Grob Aircraft. The E variant with a 3-blade variable pitch propeller is in service with the Finnish Air Force, the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps for Flying Grading and in the Royal Air Force as part of No. 6 Flying Training School which provides flying to both University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights to Cadets of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. As of 2020, the Tutor is still being used by the RAF for some Elementary Flying Training (3FTS) but is due to be phased out in favour of its replacement, the Prefect T1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Flying School</span> British Royal Air Force pilot school

The Central Flying School (CFS) is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 at the Upavon Aerodrome, it is the longest existing flying training school. The school was based at RAF Little Rissington from 1946 to 1976. Its motto is Imprimis Praecepta, Latin for "The Teaching is Everlasting".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">727 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

727 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was formed in 1943 as a Fleet Requirements Unit, being disbanded in December 1944. It was reformed twice in the 1940s and 1950s to provide flying experience for naval officers. The current squadron was created on 6 Dec 2001 from the Royal Naval Flying Training Flight. It operates the Grob Tutor, with its primary role to provide grading and legacy-Elementary Flying Training for Royal Navy and Royal Marine pilots under training. It also supports the Royal Navy's "Flying Start" flying scholarship scheme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Milltown</span> Former RAF station in Moray, Scotland

Royal Air Force Milltown or RAF Milltown is a former Royal Air Force station located south of the Moray Firth and 3.6 miles (5.8 km) north east of Elgin, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southampton University Air Squadron</span> University flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Southampton University Air Squadron is a unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Bournemouth University, Southampton Solent University, University of Chichester and University of Winchester. The aim of all University Air Squadrons is to allow those potential RAF officers to experience service life and to allow them to decide whether they are suited to it. There is no obligation to join up after being a member of a UAS unless an RAF bursary is successfully applied for. SUAS is parented by MoD Boscombe Down where it flies Tutor aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 12 Air Experience Flight RAF</span> Military unit

No. 12 Air Experience Flight (AEF) is an Air Experience Flight run by the Air Cadet Organisation of the Royal Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 6 Air Experience Flight RAF</span> Military unit

No. 6 Air Experience Flight is an Air Experience Flight based at RAF Benson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Birmingham Air Squadron</span> University flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

The University of Birmingham Air Squadron, commonly known as UBAS, is a squadron within the Royal Air Force established on 3 May 1941. It is based at RAF Cosford, Shropshire, and flies a fleet of six Grob Tutors. In 2009 the squadron upgraded the aircraft to the Grob Tutor EA which has an advanced avionics suite. The Squadron has three Flights, A, B and C; each with a student Flight Commander who holds the rank of Acting Pilot Officer and a Deputy who holds the rank of Officer Cadet. UBAS is also the parent squadron of 8 Air Experience Flight, who jointly fly UBAS' Tutor fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liverpool University Air Squadron</span> University flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Liverpool University Air Squadron is a training unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Liverpool, University of Lancaster, Edge Hill University, Bangor University and Liverpool John Moores University.

The University of London Air Squadron, often abbreviated to ULAS, forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and provides a wide range of training for students of the University of London and affiliated universities.

Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron is a unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Durham, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumbria University, Sunderland University and Teesside University. 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 is successfully applied for. NUAS is parented by RAF Leeming where it flies Grob Tutor aircraft. NUAS Town Headquarters (THQ) are in Newcastle upon Tyne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 9 Air Experience Flight RAF</span> Military unit

No. 9 Air Experience Flight is one of thirteen Air Experience Flights (AEFs) run by the Royal Air Force for the Air Cadet Organisation. The primary purpose of an AEF is to provide air experience to members of the Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force (RAF) Section and occasionally, the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets and the Air Scouts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 2 Flying Training School RAF</span> Military unit

No.2 Flying Training School is a Flying Training School (FTS) of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is part of No. 22 (Training) Group that delivers glider flying training to the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Its headquarters is located at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire and gliding takes places from several sites throughout the UK using the Grob Viking T1. The RAF Central Gliding School is also under its command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Leuchars</span>

Royal Air Force Leuchars or RAF Leuchars was a Royal Air Force (RAF) station located in Leuchars, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. Throughout the Cold War and beyond, the station was home to fighter aircraft which policed northern UK airspace. The station ceased to be an RAF station at 12:00 hrs on 31 March 2015 when it became Leuchars Station and control of the site was transferred to the British Army. The RAF temporarily returned to Leuchars between August and October 2020 to carry out QRA (I) responsibilities while runway works were being carried out at RAF Lossiemouth.

No. 6 Flying Training School RAF is a Flying Training School (FTS) within No. 22 (Training) Group of the Royal Air Force that delivers flying training to University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 4 Air Experience Flight RAF</span> Military unit

No. 4 Air Experience Flight is one of thirteen Air Experience Flights (AEFs) run by the Air Cadet Organisation of the Royal Air Force. The primary purpose of the AEF organisation is to provide air experience to members of the Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force (RAF) Section and occasionally, the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets and the Air Scouts.

This is the structure of the Royal Air Force, as of October 2020.

References

  1. ↑ Pine, L G (1983). A Dictionary of mottoes . London: Routledge & K. Paul. p.  112. ISBN   0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ↑ "Margaret Sinclair". Herald Scotland. 2 August 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "Perth II (Scone) - Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust UK". www.abct.org.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  4. ↑ "University Air Squadrons - Hansard". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  5. 1 2 Mackay, David (5 April 2019). "Students to touch down at RAF Lossiemouth for flight training". Press and Journal. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  6. ↑ "RAF plane crash lands". BBC News. 11 December 2002. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  7. ↑ George, Allison. UK Defence Journal https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/raf-training-aircraft-declares-emergency-over-glasgow/ . Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.