I took part in a two week residential course at RAF Benson for an air navigational course.  It consisted of 8 flights of increasing difficulty.  The first was a familiarisation exercise of the local area; the next four were at medium level and was the basis of most of the training using features to find locations.  The next two flights were done at low level, which is just 500 feet off the ground, the navigation becomes much harder and features are more difficult to locate. 

While on the course we were staying with the air cadet camp both of which were from East Lancashire Wing.  It was really fun learning about what they did at their squadron and I was amazed that it was very similar to what we do in Surrey Wing.  On the Monday I was fortunate enough to have a 3 hour flight in a Puma Helicopter and take part in some tactical flying.  It was really fun and it was great meeting some of the pilots and cabin crew.

On my final flight I had to combine all the skills that I had learnt on the course flying and both medium (2000 feet) and low levels (500 feet) , as well as a land away and another airfield (Colerne).  It was challenging but I managed to successfully navigate the pilot around the route and complete a practise diversion.

On completion of the course I was awarded with the Air Navigation badge.

I would like to say a massive thank you to the volunteers at 6 AEF squadron, it was a highly rewarding course and has given me skills for life.