RAFA Costa Blanca Branch Events Page 2

On Friday 16TH May 50 of the members travelled to the Spanish Air Force Academy based in San Javier. This is the equivalent of RAF Collage Cranwell.
On arrival at the Academy members were met by an English speaking officer who
welcomed the group and explained the ethos of the academy which he reinforced
with a comprehensive video which showed the many and varied aspects of the
training the students were subjected to if they wished to qualify as pilots.The course
lasts 5 years, the first 2 on Basic Officer training, followed by 3 years Flying Training.
The group were then shown round the two types of aircraft the students flew. The first was a small two seat single engined propeller aircraft, of the type seen flying for hours above the houses, the other was a single engine, jet aircraft, the type used by the Spanish aerobatic Team Aguila. The aircraft were not too sophisticated but watching the ground crews going about their tasks, the smell of the avtur, it all brought back memories to many who had flown or worked on simular aircraft in their RAF careers. The culmination of the visit was a trip to the Academy gift shop where several members purchased mementos of the visit.
The day finished with lunch at the Casa Nicolas restaurant.
The Branch Chairman, Noel Cork MBE, thanked all that had attended the day and hoped they enjoyed the insight onto the Spanish Air Force.