Culdrose students help National Trust

Students from a Culdrose based training Squadron recently swapped their flying overalls for gardening overalls to help the National Trust re-open a pathway through to Predannack airfield near the Lizard.

The four students, Lieutenants Mark Finnie (27), Keith Webb (27), Allan ‘AJ’ McInnes (28) and Sub Lieutenant Tom ‘Tug’ Wilson (25) are more used to conducting air navigation than working with the National Trust as they train on the Navy’s new ‘Avenger’ aircraft prior to learning how to fight the Sea King, Merlin or Lynx helicopters. However, at Predannack, the airfield that Culdrose uses for training, the unlikely landscapers were faced with a wall of thorns and trees, and an aim of clearing a path wide enough for walkers and vehicles to pass through safely and allow the National Trust access to areas previously only accessible by foot.

The four are the first course of the new UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) which completes in December this year, after which the students will begin training on the front-line Lynx, Merlin or Sea King helicopters.

Lieutenant Mark Finnie said: “The work was hard but rewarding, and BFT course 1 would like to thank Mr Darren Neville from the National Trust for his patience and pasties! We would also encourage anyone interested in helping the National Trust to get in touch with them, as they are always looking for more volunteers and it is an excellent way to spend a day.”

Photo: (MoD Copyright)