Royal School, Armagh

Flying

Flying is one of the core activities at the heart of the RAF Section. Cadets fly the two-seater Grob Tutor aircraft from RAF Woodvale.
Trained RAF pilots teach the basic principles of flight, and then progress onto teaching thrilling aerobatic manoeuvres such as loop the loops, barrel rolls, stall turns and many more.
Throughout their time in the RAF Section, cadets can build up enough skill and confidence to construct their own aerobatic sequences..
This exciting activity is only available to RAF Cadets and is completely FREE! (Civilian lessons are £90+ each!)

Gliding

Gliding is another popular activity enjoyed by RAF Cadets. Cadets learn the effects of ailerons, elevators and the rudder on unpowered flight in a motorised glider - the Vigilant - at 664 VGS (Volunteer Gliding School) Newtownards.
These introductory sessions can lead to a week long course of intensive training teaching skilful take-off and landing procedures building up to a solo flight - always a most memorable experience for participating cadets.

Night Exercises & Field-Craft

Like the Army section, the RAF training covers a full range of skills for offence, defence, and general survival e.g. patrolling, ambush drills, patrol harbours and ‘bivvying’, and, of course, how to cook a good fry-up on a hexamine burner. All these skills are vital for full enjoyment of both the RAF and Contingent field exercises.
The RAF holds great Night Exercises (Nite-Exes), which are always memorable experiences, never the less adrenaline rushing fun!
Nitexes put into practice all the weapons and field craft training of the cadet into an exciting all-night exercise involving bunker attacks, ambushes and thrilling fire-fights under the cover of darkness.

First Aid

Cadets will be instructed by medically qualified professionals, to complete a First Aid Training course. Different skills and techniques will be taught so that the cadets can apply their knowledge in the future. You never know when it might come in use! First Aid kits and special First Aid Scenario equipment is used to create realistic scenarios, and so cadets will be prepared and aware if similar situations were to arise. This is an excellent life skill to learn, and very valuable indeed.

Shooting

The RAF shoot both small-bore and full-bore rifles. .22 shooting is done in the 25m range at RAF Aldergrove, and at various times throughout the year if successful, can receive their marksmanship award for shooting accuracy.
Weapons training is also done more extensively for the Cadet L98 GP 5.56 rifle. Cadets experience live firing on the range at RAF Aldergrove where the full-bore classification test can be taken.
Before handling any of the above mentioned weapons all cadets are thoroughly put through the relevant weapons handling tests and are taught the principals of marksmanship.

RAF Camps

The RAF has places on two week-long camps at Easter and in the Summer. These are a mixture of both green and blue training. Activities include flying, swimming, climbing and abseiling, flights in operational aircraft, orienteering, nite-exes and much more. The camps are held at all kinds of different RAF bases, mostly in England and Wales, but can also be in Germany and Cyprus - unmissable for the price!

There are usually a few work experience sessions which can include working with fast planes maintenance teams, engineering flights, the RAF Regiment, medical, or which ever part of the RAF you are interested in. Well worth it if you are considering joining the real RAF.

Evening entertainment is also provided with cinema trips, bowling and sport.

One of the many advantages of RAF Camps is that you are mixed with a couple of other schools meaning that you can make lots of new friends with similar interests.