SEVEN young air cadets from Beaconsfield were left breathless after being given the chance to fly in an RAF Puma helicopter.

Jessica Chadwick, 16, said: “It was magical – the best day I’ve ever had”.

The teenage cadets, who are based at Wilton Park, were invited on the ride by the Royal Auxiliary Air Force after their Detached Flight, Air Training Corps, successfully met the criteria to become a Squadron in their own right – something the unit has been working towards for 23 years.

Matthew Hewlett, 14, Owen Kelley-Patterson, 14, Umber Zareen, 16, Sarah Aspland, 14, Claire Read, 14 and Yvonne Kelley-Patterson, 14, joined Jessica on the 25-minute flight from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire to Salisbury Plain.

Upon landing they were whisked off to see 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force in action in their exercise activities.

They watched the squadron practise attaching loads to the helicopter, enabling the cadets to get a feel for the strength, skill and teamwork required to support the RAF on front line operations.

Pilot Office Ruth Massie, the officer in charge of Beaconsfield Detached Flight, said: “The day was truly amazing – I’m totally in awe of the hard work and effort that goes into training.

Beaconsfield Air Training Corps is actively recruiting males and females aged between 13 and 17-and-a-half to join the squadron. For further information, please contact Pilot Officer Ruth Massie on 07771 898927 or see: www.beaconsfield-atc.co.uk