DANIEL Mortimer, from Sharples, Bolton, is being paid while he learns to fly -- thanks to a long-established RAF initiative for students throughout the UK. He is studying geography at Salford University and has joined one of the RAF's University Air Squadrons (UASs) -- Manchester and Salford University Air Squadron (MASUAS), based at RAF Woodvale, Liverpool. He is a former member of 80 (Bolton) Squadron Air training Cadets, and his ambition is to be a pilot of a Search and Rescue helicopter.

The UASs concept was conceived in 1919 by Lord Trenchard, the founder of the RAF, and introduced in 1925. It offers undergraduates the opportunity to learn flying.

The aim is to whet students' appetites for both flying and life in the RAF and recruit them as Volunteer Reserves.

Over the years they have provided the RAF with a supply of highly-qualified personnel to compete for entry into the RAF as pilots, and now also offer a considerable number of places to other aircrew, navigators and ground branches.

Daniel, who is 19 and holds the rank of Officer Cadet, explained: "Most students join through this route, although a few who have won flying scholarships arrive with a cadetship, already holding the rank of Pilot Officer. In the second and third year, individuals have the chance to upgrade to bursarship, worth £2,100 a year, or cadetship worth £8,000 a year. But the RAF will also pay tuition and subsistence fees, making the package worth £20,000.

"This year, for the first time, the UASs now pay attendance money to compensate for the time we students give to the UASs when we could have part-time jobs to supplement our income."

Andrew is a former pupil of Canon Slade School and, having achieved his bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, is now concentrating on gaining a gold. His mother, Hazel, lives in Sharples.

He has only praise for the UASs. "You get wonderful flying, excellent training and very good experience of life in the RAF, as well as making what I expect to be lifelong friendships."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.