Officer Cadet Fern Adams has been recognised by the MOD’s Directorate of Aviation Regulation and Safety when she was awarded what is thought to be the first ‘Green Endorsement’ to a University Air Squadron Cadet.

The award comes in recognition of her exceptional flying skills and judgement in handling an aircraft emergency. Officer Cadet Adams was presented with a series of unusual and confusing cockpit indications, during only her second solo flight.

Indications included fuel content in both wing tanks appearing lower than expected, abnormal engine indications, dimming of the cockpit lighting displays, culminating in the total loss of radio communications with Air Traffic Control.

“I was surprisingly calm, although when I lost radio communications with Air Traffic Control the nerves kicked in slightly,” said Fern. “I just reacted to the situation as I had been trained to do, it was only when I landed that I realised how serious the situation was that I had just dealt with.”

Fern is a Bursar member of Cambridge University Air Squadron (CUAS) based at RAF Wyton with a total of only 14 hours instructional flying and is a 2nd year medical undergraduate at Newnham Collage.
The Endorsement Citation read ‘She remained calm, alert and professional throughout, handling the aircraft, emergency drill and emergency procedures in an exemplary manner. Her flying was of the highest order.’

Fern said “Cambridge University Air Squadron has become a huge part of my life that has opened so many doors to me and allowed me to flourish in numerous ways and I feel that the most important thing that I have learned over the past two years on Cambridge University Air Squadron is that you get out of life what you put in.”

Cambridge University Air Squadron (CUAS) is organising a Service Units tribute on 19th June to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University in conjunction with the University Officer Training Corps and the University Naval Unit. This will involve music sets from the three services that will incorporate a flypast and parachute drop in the centre of Cambridge, culminating in a firework display over the Backs at sunset. With three thousand people due to attend, this will showcase the Service Units and help highlight the opportunities available to students like Fern, as members of these three organisations.

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