Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron

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Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Badge Of UGSAS
Active13 January 1941 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force Ensign Royal Air Force
RoleOfficer Training, Ab Initio Flying Training, Recruiting
Part ofNo. 6 Flying Training School RAF
Garrison/HQGlasgow / Glasgow Airport
Motto(s)In Utrumque Paratus[1]
Latin: prepared for either event - giving the link between the sword of war and the dove of peace.
ColorsBlack & Gold
Equipment2x Grob Tutor T1
Insignia
Group badgeThe Squadron badge, approved in 1948, is described in heraldic terms "In front of a sword erect argent hilted up, a grey dove volant in bend holding in the beak a sprig of olive vert fructed sable".
Identification
symbol		UGSAS

A Royal Air Force University Air Squadron recruiting within Scotland, Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron (commonly known as UGSAS) draws its members from six higher education establishments within Glasgow and its surrounding areas.

Its headquarters are in the West End of Glasgow in the Park District and is equipped with three Grob Tutor aircraft which are based at the flying element of the squadron at Glasgow Airport.

The Squadron has approximately 65 student members—the majority of whom hold the rank of Officer Cadet as members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, and is split into three flights—Clydesdale, Houston and MacIntyre. The Squadron also hosts all DTUS students attending Strathclyde University, who form Everest Flight

The Squadron is a remote unit of 6 FTS.

History

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Formation and World War Two

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The Squadron was formed as Glasgow University Air Squadron on 13 January 1941,[2] initially recruiting only from the University of Glasgow and during the war years was actively engaged in the pre-entry training of students for the Royal Air Force. By the end of hostilities, some 400 members had entered the service in various aircrew categories though the Squadron did not operate aircraft during this period.

Post war changes

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In 1946 the RAFVR was re-organised and the squadron was equipped with the de Havilland Tiger Moth and the Miles Magister and flying was carried out initially at the Royal Naval Air Station at Abbotsinch (HMS Sanderling), now Glasgow Airport, but when the airfield was having its runway's relaid in 1950, a move was made to Scone airfield at Perth, some 70 miles (110 km) away from Glasgow. The squadron operated there on and off until 1993.[3] At the same time the Squadron was re-equipped with the De Havilland Chipmunk. In 1965 when the Royal College of Science and Technology became Strathclyde University the squadron was renamed to its current name to reflect this change. In 1969 the Squadron moved back to the now Glasgow Airport. The Scottish Aviation Bulldog replaced the Chipmunk in 1974.[citation needed]

The modern squadron

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More recently students from the University of Strathclyde, University of Stirling, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Caledonian University and The University of the West of Scotland have been eligible for Squadron membership[4][5] and as of 1996 the Squadron became parent to No.4 Air Experience Flight and in March 2000 the squadron was equipped with its current aircraft, the Grob Tutor. In January 2008 the Squadron was re-organised into two flights – Clydesdale and MacIntyre – named in honour after Lord Clydesdale and David MacIntyre, both were prominent aviators in the 1930s in 602 (City Of Glasgow) Sqn RAuxAF. The Squadron detaches up to three times a year for a period of three to four weeks at a time, formerly to either RAF Kinloss or RAF Leuchars, but since those bases have closed, more normally they deploy to RAF Lossiemouth. Whilst deployed, the squadron undertakes a period of intensive flying and adventure training.[5]

Aircraft operated

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Incidents

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  • 11 December 2002 - A Grob Tutor crashed into a field in Gartocharn, near Loch Lomond, after engine failure. Both the student pilot and instructor managed to walk away from the crash unharmed.[6]
  • 4 November 2022 - A Grob Tutor operated by the air squadron declared pan-pan and squawked 7700 over Glasgow after experiencing low oil pressure and low RPM with the aircraft's engine. The aircraft returned safely to Glasgow airport with both crew members unharmed.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pine, L G (1983). A Dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge & K. Paul. p. 112. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^ "Margaret Sinclair". Herald Scotland. 2 August 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Perth II (Scone) - Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust UK". www.abct.org.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  4. ^ "University Air Squadrons - Hansard". hansard.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  5. ^ a b Mackay, David (5 April 2019). "Students to touch down at RAF Lossiemouth for flight training". Press and Journal. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  6. ^ "RAF plane crash lands". BBC News. 11 December 2002. Archived from the original on 25 July 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  7. ^ George, Allison (4 November 2022). "RAF training aircraft declares emergency over Glasgow". UK Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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