For over 60 years the University of Birmingham Air Squadron has been giving undergraduates in the West Midlands the opportunity to truly Reach for the Skies. Formed in the Second World War, to provide pre-entry training for undergraduates joining the RAF, the Birmingham University Air Squadron started its first initial officer-training course in October 1942.
In October 1946 the Squadron began flying training on DeHaviland Tiger Moth T Mk 2 aircraft at RAF Castle Bromwich, the West Midlands airfield where Spitfires were built during the war.
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In July 1950 the Squadron re-equipped with DeHaviland Chipmunk T10s and was renamed the University of Birmingham Air Squadron (UBAS) on the 15th October 1951. |
When Castle Bromwich was closed in March 1958 UBAS relocated to RAF Shawbury. In November 1971 UBAS came under the control of RAF College Cranwell and flew Chipmunks for 25 years until they were replaced with the BAE Bulldog T1 in June 1975. March 1978 saw UBAS “temporarily relocated from RAF Shawbury to RAF Cosford, but has remained there ever since.
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In April 2001 the long serving Bulldogs retired after 26 years service and were replaced by Grob 115E Tutor aircraft. |
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The Squadron badge depicts the double-headed lion rampant, representing Birmingham University but coloured blue for the RAF, with the motto “Scientia Dabit Alas meaning “Knowledge will give us wings. In September 2005 the Elementary Flying Syllabus was replaced with a new Air Experience Flying system, changing the emphasis towards personal development, whilst retaining a challenging and rewarding flying training syllabus.
Today UBAS provides flying opportunities for up to 70 students selected from the universities of Aston, Birmingham, Coventry, Keele, Staffordshire, UCE, Warwick and Wolverhampton.