"We took packed lunches and left school at 11.00am. When we arrived at RAF Benson, we were taken into a room where we watched a 10-minute safety video and were taught how to evacuate the aircraft if we had to bail out.

After a short wait, in which we had lunch and watched the planes and helicopters, we were asked to go to another building to kit up. After putting on our flight suits and blindingly white gloves, two of us were asked to go back to the kit room and get helmets and parachutes on. After some selfies, the pilots of our aircraft came and collected us to go on to the airstrip. We were escorted to the 2-seater aircraft, the Prefect T1. 

The ground crew assisted us in getting into the aircraft, which was made more difficult by all the safety gear. Then, we taxied down the taxiway to a square of tarmac just off the runway. The pilots performed the pre-flight checks, which made the small 2-seater aircraft shake and feel as if it were going to fall apart! Finally, after Air Traffic Control clearance, we taxied onto the runway and took off. 

In the air, the cadets were able to take control of the aircraft and fly it around, perform aerobatics such as a loop-de-loop and a barrel roll, and I even got to fly the plane over the school myself!

Apart from the minor air-sickness, the day was enjoyed by all, with an average of 9.75/10! This was a brilliant way to experience the RAF, and we are all very grateful to Flying Officer Todd and Flying Officer Dodsworth for this brilliant opportunity, thank you!"
 

Photo credit: Sam Gorringe, 4th Form