• Source: Cambridge University Air Squadron

      • Cambridge University Air Squadron, abbreviated CUAS, formed in 1925, is the training unit of the Royal Air Force at the University of Cambridge and forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. It is the oldest of 15 University Air Squadrons in the UK. For many years it was based at Cambridge Airport at Teversham.


      History


      The unit was formed in 1925 and initially operated out a runway located next to RAF Engineering school at Fen causeway in Cambridge. After a brief spell at RAF Duxford, the squadron moved in 1949 to a new home at Cambridge "Marshall's" or "Teversham" Airport where it remained until 1999 and its transfer away to RAF Wyton. 15 years later, the squadron was moved again, to RAF Wittering.


      Present day



      Cambridge University Air Squadron offers basic flying training and adventure training to undergraduates and graduates and encourages members to take up a career as an officer in one of the branches of the Royal Air Force.
      Student members hold the title of Officer Cadet, which carries the privileges, but not the rank, of a commissioned officer. Students may apply for an Acting Pilot Officer course in the RAF Volunteer Reserves, with four being selected per year. Officer Cadets are required to attend a minimum of one training night a week during full term, usually a lecture by a guest speaker on an aspect of the Royal Air Force, another military unit or Air Power. They are also expected to take part in two weeks of continuous training during the Long Vacation. There are also camps during all university vacations for sports and adventure training. Periods of intense flying training (PIFTs) are conducted over the Easter and Long Vacations.
      CUAS is based at RAF Wittering a station which they share with the University of London Air Squadron, and is equipped with Grob Tutor T Mk 1s.


      The Hack Trophy


      The Hack Trophy is awarded annually to the University Air Squadron for best all-round performance covering flying training, flying standards and competitions, ground school training, organisation and administration. Cambridge UAS won the trophy in 1970, 1974, 1975 (the year in which the squadron celebrated its 50th anniversary as the first-formed UAS) and 1977 (runner-up in 1976).


      Commanding officers (incomplete)


      1934–1937 Squadron Leader John Stanley Chick
      1959 - 1962 Wg Cdr John Eric Peter Thompson
      ?1962 - ?1965 Wg Cdr McArdle (?sp)
      1971–1974 Squadron Leader Dick Joyce
      1974–1977 Squadron Leader John Nutkins
      1977–1980 Squadron Leader John Kennedy
      1980–1982 Squadron Leader Brian Burridge
      1982–1985 Squadron Leader Matt Buzby
      1985-1988 Squadron Leader Geoff Day
      2007–2008 Squadron Leader John Monahan
      2008–2011 Squadron Leader Simon Means
      2011–2014 Squadron Leader Charles Kane
      2014 – 2021 Squadron Leader Richard Kellett
      2021 - 2023 Squadron Leader Mark Hammond
      2023 - current Squadron Leader John Rowe


      Notable members


      George Barclay, RAF officer and DFC recipient
      Kenneth Campbell, RAF officer and Victoria Cross recipient
      John Fairey, aviator
      Alick Foord-Kelcey, RAF officer and civil servant
      Victor Goddard, RAF officer
      Gordon Manley, climatologist
      Hector Monro, Baron Monro of Langholm, RAF officer & politician
      James Peter Obeyesekere III Sri Lankan politician
      Nicholas Patrick, astronaut
      Kate Saunders, the first female to eject in the UK; aged 22, studied classics at Queens' College, Cambridge, from the independent King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham; on Wednesday 25 September 1991, she ejected from a two-seat Harrier XZ147 from RAF Wittering, with pilot Sqn Ldr Ashley Stevenson, later the station commander from 2005-06, suffering a broken leg and pelvis; she was seriously ill with 28% burns; the ejection seat was typically designed for the weight of a male; a lighter female would, likely, have more acceleration; she left hospital at the end of November 1991; in September 1994, she married her flight instructor from RAF Cranwell; she left the RAF in September 1995, being medically discharged; she taught Classics at Dauntseys School in Wiltshire from 2006 to 2019
      Michael Stear, RAF officer
      Richard Tomlinson, soldier & MI6 officer
      Peter Vanneck, RN officer
      Gino Watkins, polar explorer
      Frank Whittle, RAF officer and inventor of the turbo-jet engine
      Cathcart Wight-Boycott, RAF officer


      References



      Air of Authority - University Air Squadrons

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