RAF St Mawgan Flying Experience

Posted: 19th August 2026

Eighteen Exeter School cadets took to the skies this week, flying the Grob Tutor at RAF St Mawgan as part of our thriving CCF RAF Section.

Video

Taking The Controls Above Cornwall

Our cadets travelled to RAF St Mawgan for a week that many will remember for years to come. Each cadet had the chance to take the controls of the Grob Tutor, a light aircraft used across RAF cadet flying experience programmes, giving them a genuine taste of military aviation.

The changeable weather couldn’t dampen spirits. Cadets adapted to shifting conditions throughout the week, a challenge that added an extra layer of resilience and problem-solving to the experience. When the skies cleared, the flying got even more exciting.

Aerobatics And Real RAF Opportunities

Beyond straight-and-level flying, several cadets experienced aerobatics for the first time, a highlight that had everyone talking. Loops, rolls and steep turns gave our cadets a real sense of what it means to fly with the RAF, and the grins afterwards said it all.

This kind of hands-on flying experience is exactly what makes our RAF Section so special. Opportunities like this don’t just build flying skills. They build:

  • Confidence in high-pressure, unfamiliar situations
  • Teamwork through working alongside RAF personnel and fellow cadets
  • Independence as cadets take responsibility for their own experience
  • A genuine understanding of careers and pathways within the Royal Air Force

Why The CCF Matters At Exeter School

Our Combined Cadet Force gives pupils opportunities that go well beyond the classroom. Whether it’s a week flying at RAF St Mawgan, adventurous training, or leadership challenges closer to home, the CCF helps pupils grow in character, confidence and capability.

We are incredibly proud of our 18 cadets and the way they embraced every part of this week, weather included. Well done to all involved, and thank you to RAF St Mawgan and the RAF Section for another unforgettable experience.

Three pilots in green flight suits and helmets stand at a runway, with small planes and hangars in the background. Smiling pilot wearing a helmet sits in the cockpit of a small white-and-blue training airplane on a runway. Three pilots in green flight suits and helmets stand on a concrete airfield with small white training aircraft in the background under a cloudy sky.”,

Categories: CCF