Aerosystems Course graduates
What was to have been the last Aerosystems Course ever graduated on 19 July - but it was not the last after all . .
The graduation ceremony and dinner took place in the spectacular surrounds of the RAF College, Cranwell. The year-long course saw 10 students graduate out of the 12 who had started last year.
The post-graduate-level course is designed to provide specialist education for selected personnel in advanced avionics, aerospace concepts and acquisition practices - enabling front-line operators to tackle complex challenges within technical and acquisition appointments. Graduates also receive an MSc from Kingston University.
As well as RAF personnel, the course included students from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and from the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force:
- Sqn Ldr Ryan Tuttle RAAF
- Lt Marcelo Lagos RAN
- Capt Michael Carty RM
- Flt Lt Jenna Bates RAAF
- Flt Lt Scott Cotton RAF
- Flt Lt Ashley Hampson RAF
- Lt Martin Howard RN
- Flt Lt Stephen Williams RAF
- FS Stuart Pearmain RAF
- Sgt Luke Cabot RAF
The Institute's Guidance Trophy - a beautifully mounted astro-compass - was presented by our new President, Roger McKinlay, to winner Capt Michael Carty RM. He has been a Harrier pilot and is posted to fly the AV-8B Harrier II in the US, followed by the F-35 'Lightning II', which will be joining UK Forces.
At the sparkling dinner, attended by over 100 diners, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach - Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and the RAF's most senior navigator ever - announced the excellent news that the Aerosystems Course will not, after all, close - in the current environment, we must 'educate for the unexpected'.
A large handful of Institute members attended the event, and Air Cdre Norman Bonnor handed to each graduate an invitation to Guest Membership for a year - 3 years for the Guidance winner.
We congratulate the graduates, especially the Guidance Trophy winner, on their achievements, and wish them all the best for their first aerosystems postings.