Cambridge University Air Squadron

Cambridge University Air Squadron, abbreviated CUAS, formed in 1925, is the training unit of the Royal Air Force at the University of Cambridge and forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. It is the oldest of 14 University Air Squadrons in the UK. For many years it was based at Cambridge Airport at Teversham.

Present day
Cambridge University Air Squadron offers basic flying training and adventure training to undergraduates and graduates and encourages members to take up a career as an officer in one of the branches of the Royal Air Force.

Members of CUAS are not committed to join the RAF after graduation. Student members hold the title of Officer Cadet, which carries the privileges, but not the rank, of a commissioned officer. The four senior student members of the squadron are granted commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, with the rank of Acting Pilot Officer. Officer Cadets are required to attend a minimum of one training night a week during full term, usually a lecture by a guest speaker on an aspect of the Royal Air Force or another military unit. They are also expected to take part in two weeks of continuous training during the Long Vacation. There are also camps during all university vacations for sports, flying and adventure training.

CUAS is based at RAF Wyton, and is equipped with Grob Tutor T Mk 1s. Each officer cadet is offered a Summer Vacation Attachment of one week at another RAF base, seconded to an active regular unit.

Commanding officers

 * 1934-1937 Squadron Leader John Stanley Chick
 * 1981-1983 Squadron Leader Brian Burridge
 * 2009-2011 Squadron Leader Simon Means
 * 2011–Present Squadron Leader Charles Kane

Notable members

 * Frank Whittle RAF Officer and inventor of the turbo-jet engine
 * Kenneth Campbell RAF Officer and Victoria Cross recipient
 * Richard Tomlinson Soldier & MI6 Officer
 * Gordon Manley Climatologist
 * Nicholas Patrick Astronaut
 * George Barclay RAF Officer and DFC recipient
 * Gino Watkins Polar Explorer
 * Michael Stear RAF Officer
 * James Peter Obeyesekere III Sri Lankan politician
 * John Fairey Aviator
 * Cathcart Wight-Boycott RAF Officer
 * Peter Vanneck RN Officer
 * Hector Monro, Baron Monro of Langholm RAF Officer & politician
 * Alick Foord-Kelcey RAF Officer and civil servant
 * Victor Goddard RAF Officer
 * José Malon RAF Officer