Recent News

Ben Aims High!
An air cadet from 290 (Weston-super-Mare) Squadron has won Devon & Somerset wings aircraft recognition title for the third year in a row, and after winning the South West regions title is now going to represent the corps against the Sea cadets and Army cadets at the national Royal Air Force museum Hendon, London.

Flight Sergeant Ben Price, 18 who is due to join the RAF next year as a fire fighter now trains the squadron on recognising both civilian and military aircraft in the aim of continuing 290 squadrons’ success. Flt Sgt Price added ‘This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for 290 squadron and myself. I am extremely proud of representing the corps and this is will be a unique challenge.’

Cadets Cause Havoc!
Air cadets from 290 (Weston-super-Mare) Squadron and 2282 (Somer) Squadron experienced the unique opportunity to see how the Royal Navy deal with flooding on warships on a first hand basis.
The 12 strong contingent visited HMS Raleigh, Plymouth and were put through their paces on ‘Havoc’, the Royal Navy’s state of the art sinking ship simulator. The simulator is designed to test leadership skills in a cold, dark, tilting environment with various holes in the hull.

Against the slowly rising water the cadets aged 15 years plus fought to ‘save’ the ship and were timed in the process. Once completed they were treated to a lecture and hands on experience with the Royal Navy’s fire fighting team, who taught the cadets about basic fire fighting at sea.

Once demonstrated the cadets took the extinguishers and put out training fires. Flying Officer Chris Garrett who organised the trip added ‘What a fantastic opportunity for the cadets to experience real life emergencies in a training scenario, it has given them a real incite into Military life and has been a real benefit to their leadership skills.’

Local business sponsors local air cadets
A local business has donated ten red wheel barrows and laminated air cadet signs to 290 Squadron Air Training Corps based in Weston and Burnham.

Ringway signs of Weston-super-Mare, have sponsored the wheel barrows so that the cadets of the squadron can display with them at the armed forces weekend on the 26th and 27th of June on Weston seafront. The wheel barrows will add a different dimension to their display routines and create an element of fun for the cadets and crowds. Ringway signs also kindly provided laminated air cadet logo signs for the squadron minibus, which will help advertise the air cadets when they take part in events and activities. The sponsorship has been made possible with the very kind permission of general manager Roger Habgood.

Commanding Officer of 290 Squadron Flight Lieutenant Steve Manville RAF VR(T) added ‘this is a fantastic opportunity for the squadron to liaise with local companies and to go out and show the local community who we are and what we are up too’.

Bristol Airport Visit
Air cadets from 290 Squadron based in Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea enjoyed a rare insight into air traffic control at Bristol international airport.
The cadets were kindly shown around by Mr Ian Beadle, father of Cadet Cpl Andrew Beadle on the Squadron. Mr Beadle, a former RAF Flight Lieutenant has been at Bristol international airport for over 15 years. He showed the cadets and staff around the tower and radar room during the two hour trip. He explained about what they do and quizzed the cadets on their knowledge of aircraft and air traffic control.

DOE Awards January 2010
Nine Air cadets from 290 Squadron Air Training Corps based in Weston and Burnham have achieved great success by completing their Duke of Edinburgh awards.

The cadets aged between 14 and 17 achieved seven bronze and two silver awards by dedicating their time completing various challenging tasks taking between three and six months. They all finished their awards by taking part in a weekend expedition which involved navigation, camp cooking and an overnight camp.