HM QUEEN VISITS AIR CADET HIGH-TECH PLATFORM
During a visit to the South West HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh found time to visit the tri-service Cadet 150 parade and presentation, during which time they walked around the cadet exhibits.
Prominent at the Air Cadet display was the Air Cadet Community Engagement Platform where The Queen was briefed on the concept by Group Captain John Middleton. The interactive mobile platform containing computer suites and flight simulators was donated by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust to the Air Cadet Organisation allowing it to show that it's a dynamic high-tech modern organisation which mirrors the sophisticated technology of the RAF itself.
The Queen was very impressed with the technology and was particularly taken with the flight simulator; she and the Duke of Edinburgh were amused to learn that Prince Edward had flown it last year without crashing! She was delighted to hear that the RAF Charitable Trust has ordered two more platforms for the Air Cadets which are expected to be completed by the end of April.
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust provides financial support to a wide variety of projects and initiatives, especially those involving young people, and welcomes applications for grants from charities and organisations that are part of the Royal Air Force family. During the past five years the Charitable Trust has supported Air Cadet projects to the tune of £725,000. In addition to the ACE Platforms, these include funding expeditions, flying scholarships and training equipment.
