CI Rob Cray

I joined 2158 (Sevenoaks) Squadron in 1975 and moved through the ranks to be a CWO and Staff Cadet. I flew solo on gliders at 16 in a Slingsby T-21 - open cockpit - fantastic fun (have a look here to see one).

I was lucky enough to be in the Cadets when flying was being given away to anyone who wanted it and after being awarded a Flying Scholarship, I was sent away to Southend Flying Club for 4 weeks and at the end of the course gained my Private Pilots Licence. I also did many camps in the UK - RAF Scampton, Coltishall to name a few and also went overseas to Gibraltar.

Moving onto University, I joined Birmingham University Air Squadron and did around 100 hours on Bulldogs, including lots of formation and aerobatic training which was excellent fun. Result - loads of flying = not many lectures = not very good degree in Physics - ooops.

However, I managed to beg my way into the RAF in 1983 and after completing my 5 months of Initial Officer Training, I stayed at RAF Cranwell to do my basic jet training on the Jet Provost T5. Although the JP was getting old, it was capable of nearly 400 kts which at low level through Wales, was fantastic fun indeed.

After that, it was off to Valley to fly the Hawk, but due to injury, my RAF flying career was cut short and I was back into the civilian world with my not so good degree...anyhow, the rest is boring history. I still fly for fun and have flown 500 hours on all sorts of aircraft and gliders.

I had a brilliant time in the Air Cadets and have recently joined 129 Sqn as a CI to help out where I can, as it is about time I paid something back for all of the free flying I was given. It is definately one of those organisations where the more you put in, the more you get out.

All time favourite...

Film : The Right Stuff

Aircraft : F4 Phantom

Band : U2

Car : Vauxhall Viva (my first ever car in 1978 built like a tank)

Outdoor Kit : Donkey to carry my rucksack

Interesting Fact : £25,000 is the highest price paid for a donkey in the UK. The donkey was a racing donkey called Minstrel.