Air Cadet Sisters Flight Sergeant Gemma and Corporal Nicola Beardsley have achieved a rare double in obtaining their gliding wings.
Gemma, aged 17 and Nicola, 16, who are both members of 1315 (Kidlington) Squadron completed a solo flight at Dalton Barracks, near Abingdon, in the hands of 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron flying the Vigilant powered glider in a course of instruction over several weekends and with around 10 hours in the air.
On completing her flight Gemma said “It was amazing to complete my solo flight as there was so much to learn during the course, the flying solo experience was awesome…!”
Squadron Leader Peter Mockeridge, Officer Commanding 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron said “Our aim at 612 is to provide the best training possible for cadets of Thames Valley Wing. It’s great to see young people develop the confidence and skills to be able to fly solo. Gemma was our 100th Solo flight in 2009, we have further increased our solo achievements during this year, exceeding 2008 which was a previous record year”