A TEENAGER in the Dunfermline air cadets is in high spirits after graduating his course to become a qualified aerospace instructor.

Over the last seven months, Sgt Aidan Rae, 17, has been working towards achieving the title at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, in Yorkshire. The course saw him give up one weekend every month to achieve a good standard of instruction in several subjects, including air traffic control simulation, basic flight training simulation, air power, aerodynamics, radio communication and pilot studies.

After the course ended, Sgt Rae spent a week at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, sitting exams in various subjects, making several visits to RAF stations and presenting a 40 minute syndicate presentation to a host of VIPs.

The course wrapped up with certificate and badge presentations by Air Marshall (Retd) Christopher Coville before the cadets took on the hardest task of all – getting ready for their graduation dinner! Based in the officer’s mess, the evening was in the style of a formal dining-in night.

Sgt Rae said: "This course, despite being a lot of hard work, has been the most enjoyable experience of my cadet career so far and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in aerospace subjects."

The air cadets are a uniformed youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force, promoting an interest in aviation and offering activities such as flying, gliding, sports, marksmanship, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and adventure training to young people aged between 12 (and in S2) and 20 years old. For more information, email training.1145@aircadets.org or visit 1145sqnatc.co.uk