Young Diss ATC pilot officer is flying high

Pilot Officer Rachel Fincham RAF VR(T), of 1070 Diss ATC Squadron, has completed another 12 hours of flying.

She spent 10 days in Scotland doing flight and navigation exercises, which saw her taking control of a Piper Warrior PA28, a four-seater passenger plane.

'The views were amazing flying from Dundee to Oban, and seeing all the snow on the mountains was beautiful,' she said,

Pilot Officer Fincham started her flying experiences when she joined the ATC in 2003 at the age of 14; she has progressed to become acting Officer In Charge. Her flying experience was funded through the Aviation League Charity. It offers scholarships to young people to learn to fly craft ranging from gliders to small passenger planes and even hot air balloons.

Other news: cadets took part in the annual cross-country event at RAF Barnham on February 19. The squadron is looking forward to more sports events over coming months, including a six-a-side football tournament, and an athletics competition at Bury St Edmunds.

If anyone aged 13 to 18 would like more information about the ATC in Diss, call 07873 803867 or visit www.dissatc.onesuffolk.net. The cadets meet every Tuesday and Thursday, 7pm-9.30pm. Adult volunteers are also welcome.

For details about the Air League, visit www.airleague.co.uk.