Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron

University Air Squadron Scottish Aviation Bulldog at RAF Cottesmore in 2000

Students follow a modified form of the Elementary Flying Syllabus covering the basics of flight up to solo navigation exercises. Students that complete this initial syllabus can then progress to the Advanced Flying Syllabus and learn formation flying, aerobatics, and low-level navigation skills. Each student is nominally allocated 10 hours of flying training each year, though some flyers exceed this amount.

The flying aspect of NUAS is overseen by the Commanding Officer (OC NUAS) and the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), both of which are RAF Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs). Additional Instructors are sometimes available on flying Training Periods.

All flying is based at RAF Leeming where the Grob Tutor is used as the instructional aircraft. Previous types operated were the de Havilland Chipmunk and Scottish Aviation Bulldog.

NUAS participates in many forms of adventurous training (AT), including climbing, canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, sailing, ski touring and mountain biking. The squadron's Ground Training Instructor (GTI) facilitates many of the above activities, but most activities and exercises are organised by students - either individually, or in small groups.

NUAS relies heavily on student instructors for adventurous training (AT). Qualifications can be gained by attending a Joint Services Adventure Training (JSAT) course,[4] which is usually free. Students attending will be taught the necessary techniques for successful and safe instruction in their chosen discipline, and can then lead others on AT.

NUAS holds an annual Ski Trip, most recently to France and then Andorra, as well as one or two other major expeditions. These expeditions have involved travelling to places such as Iceland for Mountain Biking and Corsica, where students hiked part of the G20.

Force Development (FD) includes visits to places of historical or educational value, such as museums and cities both in the UK and abroad. Most exercises are organised by students. Previous years have seen students visit Malta, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Cyprus.

NUAS takes part in many inter-UAS and inter-service competitions, and occasionally provides an RAF presence at major sporting fixtures. NUAS also participates in the RAF Leeming CO's Cup each year.

Every year NUAS students select a charity or charities to fundraise for throughout the year through student-run events. Each year a Charity Town Night is timetabled in order to raise money for a charity selected by the students.

These are weekly training nights which happen every Tuesday in Newcastle during term time (twice a term in Durham). A student appointed as the Town Night Exec arranges a timetable of activities throughout the academic year, covering a range of subjects from Air Power to Leadership Qualities. As mentioned, Town Nights are compulsory activities for all student members of NUAS, and written permission is required from OC NUAS if a student is unable to attend.

Once attested, students have to pass a medical and a fitness test (The Royal Air Force Fitness Test). While general good fitness will improve anyone's quality of life, NUAS requires a minimum standard in line with the RAFFT Officer standards.

Bursaries are available for most branches and can be applied for before joining (conferring automatic UAS membership) or after joining a UAS. The current system gives a successful candidate £6,000 over the course of their degree, more for certain branches such as Engineering or Medical. The application process consists of an interview at a career office, for UAS members and non-members respectively. If successful an invitation for selection at the OASC may follow. Successful applicants will be expected to be an example on their squadron and must join the RAF on completion of their degrees, or return all bursary monies.