Bristol University Air Squadron

Bristol University Air Squadron Developing students of Bristol, UWE, Bath, Exeter & Plymouth for RAF Officer Training
Apply now: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/university-air-squadrons

EXETER STUDENTS!⭐️On the Tuesday of Freshers’ Week, BUAS will be in attendance. This is an incredibly useful chance for ...
11/09/2026

EXETER STUDENTS!⭐️

On the Tuesday of Freshers’ Week, BUAS will be in attendance. This is an incredibly useful chance for anyone considering applying, or who has already applied online, to meet some key faces of the Squadron, with both staff and some of our UoE students manning a stand - ask them anything you want to know, from how being on the UAS can help with your career aspirations, how to balance this opportunity with your studies, and what help is in place to assist the practialities of commuting when studying further out from our Bristol HQ.

Also, if you have reveived a request to speak to staff in person after applying, this is your chance.

Exact loction details will be posted on this page as a story on the orning of the 15th, but expect to see us between 10-5 on campus - look for the green flying suits…

BLUE-NOSED BOARS❄️This summer 4 of our students chose winter, joining the historic Navy tradition of ‘blue-nosing’ - cro...
11/09/2026

BLUE-NOSED BOARS❄️

This summer 4 of our students chose winter, joining the historic Navy tradition of ‘blue-nosing’ - crossing the Arctic Circle by boat.

Through the UAS, Off Cdts can access Joint Services Adventurous Training, and Bristol’s favourite seems to be sailing expeds (must be the boat in our logo).
On board a 72ft Challenge yacht, Discoverer, students partook in Legs 1, 2 and 4 of Ex Arctic Express, starting in Halifax, Canada, traversing the south of Greenland, through Prince Christian Sound, and over to explore the north and west coasts of Iceland, before repeatedly taking her back across the tempestuous Denmark Strait to Greenland - around Tasiilaq, and further north to Ittoqqortoormiit in Scoresby Sound.

From on-ship training like crucial man overboard drills, helming experience, working in team watches, and logging the skills and hours needed to progress up the RYA yachtmaster scheme, as well as shore-based activities such as exploring remote Inuit settlements, cultural days in Halifax and Reykjavik, and maintenance, admin & cleaning, each 2-3 week leg delivers an overload of invaluable experiences to young potential Officers.

Whilst it looks like sunshine and rainbows (and so much of it is!), the physical and mental strains of long stints of offshore sailing in 4 hour watches often overnight and in the cold, with 14 tri-service crew members you’ve never met before, living, cooking and cleaning together in confined space is an incredibly practical exercise in ALeRT (Leadership and Resilience training), and one that all 4 BUAS students couldn’t recommend more.

What other opportunities do you have in your Uni summers to swim with icebergs, hike mountains, watch whales and dolphins in the Atlantic and get to know military reservists and regulars? Read more about Squadron life on our page and apply through the link in bio by midnight on the 28th September!

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SOLO SECTOR RECCE🏅A massive well done to Ocdt Holland who is making great progress through the EFT flying syllabus, havi...
10/09/2026

SOLO SECTOR RECCE🏅

A massive well done to Ocdt Holland who is making great progress through the EFT flying syllabus, having just completed his Solo Sector Recce sortie, which combines all the previously learned elements of flying the Tutor along with navigating the local area around Wiltshire.

His recent accomplishments are down to his impressive attitude towards flying and all the work that goes into it, and these traits will stand him in incredible stead for his future at at Cranwell.

In particular, his precision of parking, which some students never quite master!

Interested in learning to fly with the best instructors, whilst at university, with no long term commitment for free?! Read more about the UAS on our page and follow the links in bio to apply by 29th September…

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COME SAY HI👋We will be visiting your university campuses! If you already know who we are, this is an amazing chance to c...
07/09/2026

COME SAY HI👋

We will be visiting your university campuses! If you already know who we are, this is an amazing chance to come and ask students all you questions off-record about Air Squadron life, career pathways, the application process, balqncing studies or anything else you have been wondering.

Also, there will be members of the Squadron staff who can meet with you privately for mini ‘interviews’ before you will be invited for the real one in the autumn.

Please feel free to spread the word and bring friends and coursemates, everyone is welcome at the BUAS stand.

We will posting more information about exact locations nearer the date, and keeping our stories updated with some live content throughout the day so you can follow along if you can’t make it.

Plymouth students - don’t forget you are eligible too! Unfortunately we won’t have a stall at your fair but if you wish to travel over to Exeter’s, you are more than welcome.

Look out for the black and yellow…🐗

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SOLO IN ST MAWGAN✈️If you look carefully at the first slide, you’ll see one of our students in a Tutor behind a commerci...
27/08/2026

SOLO IN ST MAWGAN✈️

If you look carefully at the first slide, you’ll see one of our students in a Tutor behind a commercial aircraft at Newquay Airport, attached to RAF St Mawgan.

Thanks to Newquay Airport for their support in helping OCdt Holland complete the circuit consolidation phase of his EFT course last week. Opportunities to fly solo away from our home base at Boscombe Down do not come around very often, and flying in a mixed circuit with helicopters, airline traffic and other aircraft provides a great opportunity to develop the airmanship skills all military pilots need.

Whilst supporting the AEF cadet flying ops at RAF St Mawgan this week, students also made the most of watching the eclipse🌓

Last week, 6 Bristol Off Cdts completed their JSAT RSF Climbing Course in Ballykinler, Northern Ireland. The week involv...
23/08/2026

Last week, 6 Bristol Off Cdts completed their JSAT RSF Climbing Course in Ballykinler, Northern Ireland.

The week involved outdoor bottom-rope climbing at Altnadue Quarry and in the Mourne Mountains, as well as completing an abseil. Students learnt how to lead climb indoors, developed knowledge of essential safety knots, and gained practical experience with the equipment required to set up and safely complete outdoor climbs.

The students enjoyed exploring sunny Northern Ireland, from seal spotting on Ballykinler’s range beach to a talk from Army’s bomb disposal team!

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EX HIGHLANDS EXPRESS⛵️In July, a group of 5 BUAS students made the most of the Joint-Services sailin opportunities avail...
20/08/2026

EX HIGHLANDS EXPRESS⛵️

In July, a group of 5 BUAS students made the most of the Joint-Services sailin opportunities available to Officer Cadets, and crewed a boat around Scottish waters. Some of the crew were experienced, including our senior student as Skipper, and a couple were new to the sport entirely. They learned to helm and dock a sailboat, got to spot sealife, and even experience the view from the top of the mast as they picked up new skills whilst working as a team.

Setting out from Oban, they headed north along Lochaline, Carbost, Rum, Cana and Tobermory to Kerrera.

Opportunities like this develop so many characteristics and traits that you can’t easily get from any other society or job.

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EX KERNOW BOAR🌊The squadron recently spent 2 great weeks at RAF St Mawgan in Newquay for a continuous training summercam...
16/08/2026

EX KERNOW BOAR🌊

The squadron recently spent 2 great weeks at RAF St Mawgan in Newquay for a continuous training summercamp.

Swipe to see and read about some of the activities we got up to:

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Air power: in the classroom and out of it, students refreshed their knowledge of the RAF, made their own group presentations on historic and present campaigns and stations, and most exciting of all, we spent a day being hosted by the Navy at RNAS Culdrose in South Cornwall learning about everything they get up to there, with a PAX flight in Merlin Mk2s by 814 Squadron (the ‘Flying Tigers’!).

Force Protection: students spent a few days with both the DSTO learning SERE techniques in the field and trying out some methods, as well as the RAF Regiment who conducted refresher training on weapon’s handling and NSPs, first aid training and even taught us about CRS and kitted us out.

Force Development: As well as the station visit to Culdrose, we went to the unique Cornwall at War museum. Another day, using our qualified mountaineer students to lead groups, we planned and carried out lowland walking expeditions on Bodmin Moor.

Sports: BUAS had a great run of sport this camp, with students coaching evening sessions in the run up to our interflight sports day consisting of hockey, touch rugby, basketball and netball. There was also a lot of beach football and cricket played off-duty! We had access to the gym, had 2 RAF fitness tests ran to keep current, and the BUAS run club was revived.

Charity: students spent a day at RSPCA and at Trenance community nursery carrying out aid projects and got really stuck in to some physical labour and rewarding work to benefit the animals and children.

And finally, in our free evenings, students had time to socialise - enjoying being so near to the beach and making the most of the games in the mess.

2026 BUAS GRADS🎓We couldn’t be prouder of our recent graduates, from Bristol, UWE, Bath and Exeter; BAs, BScs and MScs; ...
12/08/2026

2026 BUAS GRADS🎓

We couldn’t be prouder of our recent graduates, from Bristol, UWE, Bath and Exeter; BAs, BScs and MScs; aerospace engineers, geographers, bioscientists, lawyers, linguists, archaeologists and business managers - it’s quite a spectacular range and testament to the wide spread of skills, characteristics and careers that our students aspire to.

In particular, we want to wish the best of luck to our large cohort starting MIOT (officer training) at Cranwell this autumn, but to the others pursuing graduate schemes, further education and civilian roles, we have no doubt you will be exceptional and look forward to seeing you progress.

Studying any degree requires discipline, time-management, and hard work, but studying a degree while serving as an Officer Cadet (or APO) requires double all those traits… and is twice as rewarding!!

Got 2 years left of your degree? (placements and integrated masters included) This could be you - link to apply in bio.

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