Town group is set to fly high

Air Scouts in Bognor Regis are set to achieve a rare link with the RAF.

The 1st South Bersted (Bognor Regis) Air Scout Group is in the throes of gaining RAF recognition.

When this is gained, they will be one of only a few Air Scout Groups in the UK to be formally recognised by the air force.

A team of air enthusiasts from Air ACES, the Arun and Chichester (Air) Enthusiasts Society, gave a seminar to the three sections of the air scouts – the Beavers, the Air Scout Cubs and the Air Scouts and Explorers.

They told them about two of the conditions needed to obtain the RAF recognition. The first is to identify different types of aircraft. The second is to be able to tell different parts of aircraft and how aeroplanes fly.

One of the presenters was Wing Commander Bob Prothero RAF (retd). His 37 years in the air force saw him fly aircraft such as the Victor and the Vulcan.

Daniel Jones, the group scout leader of the 1st South Bersted Air Scouts, told the seminar about the benefits of having RAF recognition.

“It would mean that the Air Scout Group would have access to tour and camp at RAF bases, and hear stories from serving aircraft men and women about all of the different aspects of their work and trades in the RAF, and which would enlighten the Scouts to possible future careers in the RAF,” he said.