TRAINING: Grob 115E Tutor T1 RAF Leeming | Squadrons - NUAS & YUAS

For many fighter jet pilots of the RAF, this is where it all begins, with the Grob 115E T1 Tutor.
We are at RAF Leeming in Yorkshire and today, the Ted Coningsby team are here NOT to see fast jets, but to see the Grob Tutor! Flying the Grob Tutor here are two based University Air Squadrons, Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron (NUAS) and Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron YUAS. They are both RAF Volunteer reserves (RAFVR).
The NUAS currently has around 60 students and 6 staff. Around 25 students are recruited annually from Universities in the North East. The Squadron’s Flying Headquarters (FHQ) is located at RAF Leeming, near Northallerton in North Yorkshire, and weekly training nights are held in Newcastle.
Weekly training nights take place during term time at the Squadron’s Town Headquarters (THQ) near St Cuthbert’s Keep, Newcastle. Annually, the squadron carries out two major adventurous training expeditions, whilst also providing continuous support for minor expeditions throughout the year. Flying occurs from RAF Leeming during term time Monday to Friday.
YUAS has a training staff of five including a Squadron Leader commanding the unit, three Flight Lieutenant Qualified Flying Instructors and a Sergeant Ground Training Instructor. They are supported by an Adjutant and two admin officers who are all civil servants. Established for 75 students, the Squadron recruits approximately 30 students each year from its feeder universities. Members of YUAS will fly from RAF Leeming which is the base for all routine activities.
YUAS has a full training programme that includes flying training on the Tutor, Adventurous Training (AT), leadership training and visits to RAF stations. This aim is to introduce members to the role of the RAF and Defence and to show them the career options available to them in both Regular and Reserve service.
Members of YUAS attend RAF Leeming every Friday evening in term time for a Training Night where you will receive leadership, Air Power and officer development training; guest speakers are also invited to give Air Power and military themed lectures and briefs. Members of the Squadron will also be given the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills.
All those joining the Squadron will have an induction week in December and then join all other members for a full week in the Easter vacation and for a week of field leadership training in June. There are plenty of opportunities beyond these three weeks to get involved in all aspects of UAS life including flying, AT, and of course the social life of an Officers’ Mess.
Many students have gone on to gain AT leadership and instructional qualifications and many have managed to go solo on the Tutor and even advance on towards solo navigation, formation flying and aerobatics. The Squadron flies Tuesday to Saturday from October to April.
The Grob 115E, known as the Tutor T Mark 1 in RAF service, was built and equipped especially for the RAF in Mattsies, Germany between 1999 and 2002. Originally equipping No 1 Elementary Flying Training School it replaced the Bulldog T1 in service with the RAF’s University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights. These moved to No 3 Flying Training School (3 FTS) before transferring to No 6 FTS at the advent of the new Military Flying Training Service. The role of 6 FTS is to provide a unique chance to sample RAF life and to attract ambitious and intelligent students into a career as an RAF officer. This does not mean you have to join the RAF, but the Squadrons do seek develop Air Power advocates in those who do not choose to go on to a career in the RAF. For those at University there are 15 University Air Squadrons across the UK all linked to nearby Universities. Those aged 12-17 can get involved in Flying, Gliding, Shooting, Adventurous Training and more with over 1000 Air Cadet Squadrons and Combined Cadet Forces all over the UK. The Tutor is also used by 3 FTS to conduct Elementary Flying Training. Being easy to handle and fully aerobatic, the aircraft is excellent for teaching the basics of flight.
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RAF
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RAF Leeming
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NUAS
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YUAS
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RAF AIR CADETS
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Grob Tutor Display Team
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