Southampton University Air Squadron Southampton University Air Squadron ( SUAS , ) is a unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training , adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Southampton , University of Portsmouth , Bournemouth University , Southampton Solent University , University of Chichester and Winchester School of Art . The aim of all University Air Squadrons is to allow those potential RAF officers to experience service life and to allow them to decide whether they are suited to it . There is no obligation to join up , unless a bursary is successfully applied for . SUAS is parented by MoD Boscombe Down where it flies Tutor aircraft . SUAS Town Headquarters ( THQ ) is in Southampton City Centre . Training nights are held on Thursday evenings at SUAS THQ , and are compulsory for Officer Cadets . Christmas ( Freshers ' Camp ) , Easter and Summer Training periods , each of a week long are held at Boscombe Down to further the development of members through flying , adventurous training , sport and force development . Affiliated Units . SUAS parents 2 Air Experience Flight with which it shares aircraft to allow local air cadet units the chance to experience powered flying . Flying . Students follow a modified form of the Elementary Flying Syllabus covering the basics of flight up to solo navigation exercises . Students that complete this initial syllabus can then progress to the Advanced Flying Syllabus and learn formation flying , aerobatics , and low level navigation skills . Each student is officially allocated 10 hours of flying training each year , though occasionally some flyers exceed this amount . Some individuals apply for a PPL from their flying experience on the UAS . The flying aspect of the SUAS is overseen by the Commanding Officer ( OC SUAS ) and the Chief Flying Instructor ( CFI ) , both of whom are RAF Qualified Flying Instructors ( QFI ) . Additional QFIs are sometimes available . All flying is based at MoD Boscombe Down where the Grob Tutor is used as the instructional aircraft . Previous types operated were the De Havilland Chipmunk and Scottish Aviation Bulldog . Adventurous Training . SUAS participates in many forms of adventurous training ( AT ) , including climbing , canoeing , kayaking , mountaineering , sailing , ski touring and mountain biking . The squadron ' s Ground Training Instructor ( GTI ) facilitates many of the above activities , but most activities and exercises are organised and led by students . SUAS relies heavily on student instructors for adventurous training ( AT ) . Qualifications can be gained by attending a Joint Services Adventure Training ( JSAT ) course , which is usually free . Students attending will be taught the necessary techniques for successful and safe instruction in their chosen discipline , and can then lead others on AT . MEC Cup . In 2009 , the Southampton Military Education Committee introduced a competition between the four service units based in the city . Organised by the students in the units , Thunderer Squadron ( DTUS ) contributed a weekend of AT in the Snowdonia National Park . Each unit had the opportunity to enter one or more teams to show off their planning , navigation and expedition skills with an air of friendly rivalry . In 2009 Thunderer Squadron took first place in this event . In 2010 , SUAS ' two teams took the first two positions . In 2011 , once again SUAS prevailed though hardship and sheer determination to win for the second consecutive year . The events were an opportunity for people from the different units to integrate in a very different environment to the comparative comfort of Southampton . Expeditions Abroad . SUAS members are fortunate to be in a position to organise and participate in overseas expeditions . In previous years small deployments to Canada , for open canoeing and dog sledding , and skiing in the European Alps have been popular and worthwhile ventures . A week in Germany in the summer of 2010 included rock climbing , mountaineering , mountain biking and paddle sport . Some students may take the opportunity to travel abroad with regular members of the armed forces . SUAS has been represented in France , Germany , Switzerland and Italy in the last year . Most notably , student instructors have assisted regular forces to mount expeditions overseas , most recently Rock Climbing high in the Italian Dolomites . With an enhanced emphasis on expeditions , the RAF no longer supports exclusive downhill skiing and instead focuses on the significantly more arduous ski touring . In January 2011 , SUAS and Oxford UAS went on a joint expedition to Sainte Foy for this purpose . Mountaineering and Rock Climbing . In addition to larger expeditions , weekends in the Snowdonia National Park and Brecons Beacons of Wales to improve climbing and mountaineering skills are a regular occurrence . Organised and led by students , with little staff involvement , these weekends are excellent for fine tuning leadership skills and practising being adaptable and flexible . Yacht Sailing . SUAS members have the opportunity to go yacht sailing on a regular basis - students can organise expeditions at any time of the year through the Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre . Student instructors are only too happy to take personnel sailing and teach them how to effectively crew a 34 foot yacht . Apart from teaching the skills required to navigate from one port to another , students become accustomed to living in close quarters with one another with few luxuries , and are often be tested by the weather . A high degree of autonomy is enjoyed - improving leadership , communication and awareness skills being the primary objectives . In Summer 2010 , a two - week expedition led by a student along the south coast of the UK reached and returned from Dartmouth in challenging weather . Sports . SUAS has been successfully represented at the RAF and Inter Service Climbing Championships in the guest categories . The squadron also competes in inter - UAS competitions and occasionally provide an RAF presence at major sporting fixtures . Joining . Students can join SUAS in any year at university and usually stay for two years , provided their attitude and commitment are good . Students from the Universities of Southampton , Portsmouth and Bournemouth and other higher education establishments around Southampton may apply to join , but due to time and personnel constraints , SUAS only attends these universities ' Fresher ' s Fairs . Students who are deemed an asset may be invited to continue their careers with SUAS and stay for a further year , subject to them remaining in university and remaining committed to the squadron . To join , simply attend a Fresher ' s Fair at your university and talk to one of the students . After completing the joining process a successful student would be attested and become a member of the Volunteer Reserve . Fitness . Once attested , students have to pass a medical and a fitness test . While general good fitness will improve anyone ' s quality of life , SUAS requires a minimum standard . Males should aim for at least a 9 . 10 on the bleep test , 20 press up s and 36 sit ups . While these are the minimum standards for joining , individuals who are fitter tend to benefit more from UAS membership . Bursaries . Anyone that wishes to apply for a bursary should first go to the RAF website . Bursaries are available for most branches and can be applied for before joining ( conferring automatic UAS membership ) or after joining a UAS . The current system gives a successful candidate £6 , 000 over the course of their degree . The application process consists of an informal chat with UAS staff or an interview at a career office , for UAS members and non - members respectively . If successful an invitation for selection at the OASC may follow . Successful applicants will be expected to be an example on their squadron and must join the RAF on completion of their degrees , or return their bursary . Structure . While SUAS is generally operated informally , a command structure does exist . The Commanding Officer ( OC SUAS ) has overall responsibility , supported by the Adjutant who oversees administrative tasks and is supported by office staff . The student body has a Senior Student , usually an Acting Pilot Officer ( APO ) who essentially heads up the student body , and aside from the extra commitment organising activities , he or she acts as a liaison to the permanent staff . The Senior Student is supported by a Deputy Senior Student and two Flight Commanders , again APOs , who oversee the two student flights and participate in the running of the squadron . They are assisted by an executive committee which is chosen from the student body each year . Positions include Adventurous Training Executive , University Services Units Liaison Executive , Reservist Liaison Executive , MT Executive , Airfield Executive , Sports Executive , Computing and Information Systems Executive , Charity Executive , Engagements and PR ( Public Relations ) and Force Development Executive . There is a Mess Secretary who records the minutes of Executive Committee meetings and assists the Mess Committee ( below ) . A Mess Committee is ratified by the student body each year , positions include Entertainments , Bar , Shop and Digital Media . The above roles serve the function of allowing SUAS to efficiently organise and de - conflict events and activities in a coherent manner .