On landing at Bembridge we were met by Lara Harrison from Brit-Norman who own the airport and also build the Islander aircraft from there. We were also met by Ann Lovejoy who was in charge of the Island ATC cadets. Three cadets came to meet me. The High Sheriff of the island was also there and we all had a lovely lunch in the restaurant. As I only had two airfields to visit today, lunch was a leisurely affair and I was able to talk about FSD and my flights to everyone. Lara was interested in FSD and wanted to talk about possible involvement of Brit-Norman. I am always so excited when people take an interest in FSD. We tossed a coin for a cadet to fly to Sandown with me and Jessica Taylor won the toss. Whilst at Bembridge the cadets had given me a full briefing on the structure of ATC: When you first join, you are a second class cadet. You study several subjects including first aid, flight recognition, basic communication and navigation. After a basic test you can progress to first class cadet. You now study the History of the RAF and the ATC. You practice drills and parade and weapons handling. You go on initial expeditions and learn orienteering and map reading. After another test you become a Leading Cadet. More subjects are studied and on passing a further test you become a Leading Cadet. Senior cadet is the next stage and to reach that you study propulsion, navigation, aircraft handling and communications. To be promoted through the ranks you have to be invited first to be a corporal (2 stripes on your epaulettes) when you have to display commitment, maturity and leadership skills. You are made ‘acting corporal’ for the first three months. Next you become a sergeant and that is 3 stripes followed by flight sergeant. The highest rank is Cadet Warrant Officer and for that you have to be aged 18 and be interviewed by the Wing staff. The cadets are taught how to look after their uniform and polish their shoes. Should you arrive looking a mess you can be fined something like 50p or else be given 10 press ups. Their eyes lit up as they told me all about it. They were obviously so proud to be part of this fantastic organisation and I am certainly proud to be associated with it. We flew on to Sandown and sadly my new GPS was not working – this proved that it couldn’t be the unit. Who should arrive soon after us at Sandown but Mel White and Barrie from Honeywell Bendix King. It was almost as if they sensed that the fault wasn’t in the unit. Now it could only be one of two things either the aerial or the wiring. Mel and Barrie had bought a new aerial across for me. I will keep it and get it fixed when I go officially into Goodwood on Wednesday. They really are fantastic sponsors and friends. Each year they sponsor a mini scholarship and Mel and his wife Cathy take a personal interest in their scholar and visit them at Goodwood while they are doing their flying. More ATC cadets were waiting as a guard of honour at Sandown and they all stood to attention as I came up to them. I managed to have a few words with each one of them which I always enjoy. Dick Steele the owner of Sandown came to greet me and he signed my Jeppesen Manuals. He wanted a copy of my book and promptly gave me a substantial donation for FSD. I feel completely overwhelmed with the generosity of so many people in the aviation world. It is wonderful to have such support for a great aviation charity.
