Bristol University Air Squadron

Home
United Kingdom
Bristol
Bristol University Air Squadron

Website

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

04/11/2026

✈️🚁🪂

We, for one, are thrilled at RIAT’s announcement earlier today about the upcoming move of one of the most renowned aviation events in the world, to none other than our University Air Squadron’s flying HQ.

In previous years, large numbers of our officer cadets have supported the airshow as volunteers for the park and view team and public engagement team. For us aspiring pilots and general aviation lovers, there is no more rewarding opportunity than spending dawn til dusk representing the RAF in uniform, speaking to members of the public and engaging with the display teams on the ground, all while hearing the roar of our favourite aircraft in the summer sky above.

BUAS supports the RAF Charitable Trust and recognises all the incredible work they do, facilitated bt the funds rasied by this annual event.

We are excited to show off our base, invite in the public and for a shorter commute to RIAT next july!

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored by nor affiliated with RIAT or RAFCT, and only relates to Bristol UAS. All official communications and announcements can be found on Royal International Air Tattoo

02/11/2026

MONTH RECAP🎃

Here’s an insight into what we get up to….

As well as some more of the ‘serious’ stuff, like dedicating time to Recruitment Week at the start of the month, Mess meetings and admin, and ending October with uniform checks and drill practice, we of course spent the majority of our time doing all the things we enjoy, celebrating achievements, and raising money for the RBL.

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

23/10/2026

“SHQ” DEBUT⚡️

Yesterday marked the first time BUAS have deployed to (former) RAF Colerne since we used to have the base as our permanent Flying HQ in the pre-pandemic era. What we are now referring to as our ‘Sports HQ’ is a hangar of really great facilities kindly opened up to us by the Army squadrons now based at the converted barracks.

Wildboars, both students and staff (Sqn Ldr Zid scored many a goal), had a great night getting competitive; turning the friendly fixtures into frantic fights for the ball on the rugby and footbll pitch, but then supporting each other closely in the challenging row erg challenge set out by our Ground Training Instructor, Sgt Lloyd.

We are striving to collectively push fitness levels amongst the Squadron, and since sport is integral to RAF life as well as most of our own university lifestyles, it’s the perfect addition to our Town Night rotation.

Southampton University Air Squadron we’re ready for our annual faceoff, are you?!⚽️

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

12/10/2026

FITNESS TEST INFO👟

Firstly, a huge congratulations to all our new recruits making up 77 course for passing their interviews!
After your medical clears, you will take part in the fitness test before being able to get officially attested onto BUAS.

Not to worry, it’s a very comfortable pass level and just measures your overall aerobic fitness with the MSF (bleep) test, then a standing broad (horizontal) jump and lastly the weighted grip strength measure.
The last one is harder to practice, but a few light runs and some repeated long jumps will definitely stand you in good stead if you are worried about the previous two.

We do encourage maximum effort for your first tets, as with any later ones. It’s a good record for you to track improvements to your physical fitness and strength. It is more a competition with yourself than any of your peers.

The fitness test is the same as all RAF recruits need to pass for regular service. It is also essential for any Adventurous Training!

Sports and fitness is a big part of the social side of BUAS - from our run club (which has even made it abroad once or twice), to pre-town night training, to sports tournament days and interflight points competitions, as well as many challenges and events for charity. You will have access to both the gym in Clifton at THQ and the bigger one on base at Boscombe Down.

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to message this account.

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

02/10/2026

SOLO SECTOR RECCE🗺️

Another day, another BUAS achievement at Boscombe!
Yesterday, before making his way back up to Bristol for Town Night, Off Cdt Fryer ticked off a sortie he’s been working on towards the tail end of summer.

After a recent first solo circuit achievement, any other trip might seem inherently less exciting. On the contrary, the ‘sector recce’ is a great feeling for any student pilot: being entrusted the key to the aircraft, signing it out yourself, doing all your checks, radio and takeoff solo but then being able to leave the circuit pattern and fly for ~45 minutes over the green hills of Wiltshire, navigating the surrounding area via birdseye landmarks and compass headings.

Our Flying Ops Commander Off Cdt Fryer did an incredible job of it, even almost perfecting his parking back at the pan!
A really rewarding day for a future pilot bursar.

👏👏👏

29/09/2026

LONGLEAT AIRSHOW🦁

Earlier this month, five BUAS students once again supported the RAF Tutor Display Team at Longleat’s annual ‘Icons of the Sky’ airshow. Working from the Display Team outreach stand, they spent the day conducting public relations, answering questions about life on the squadron as well as information about the RAF and flying the Tutor.

Visitors were able to try on our flying helmets and parachutes and pick up Tutor/RAF merchandise, with some more interested in the tote bags and Croc Jibbitz than life on a UAS…

Being a weekday, the crowd was mostly young families, older aviation enthusiasts and zoo-goers, with fewer cadet or university-age visitors. However, all outreach is effective outreach!

Overhead in a still blue sky, “The Bumblebee”, the TDT’s yellow Tutor, held its own alongside the Spitfires and wingwalkers. With the magnificent Longleat House on display in the background and the roar of the lions just down the road, it was a striking setting for an airshow.

Students enjoyed, as ever, representing the Squadron in flying suits, meeting the public and making a good impression. They also enjoyed some typical Longleat activities such as feeding nectar to the Parekeets and handling big bugs.

A huge thank you and congratulations to both the Tutor display team’s manager and pilots, and to the Longleat organisers for hosting a great event.

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

28/09/2026

FIRST SOLO🥳

Off Cdt Dawson has proven himself an incredibly dedicated and capable pilot, completing this milestone after only being attested on BUAS the beginning of this year.

There’s a lot that goes into an achievement like this: hours of studying and practice, a humble attitude in the cockpit, luck with weather conditions and site operations, and mostly, having the patience for all that alongside your degree.

We are all very proud of Off Cdt Dawson, not only for his solo but also for being our sqaudron’s most recent Pilot Bursar after recently passing OASC!

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

21/09/2026

UWE AND BATH STUDENTS⚡️

On these dates 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 UoB students manning a stand - ask them anything you want to know, from how being on the UAS can help with your career aspirations to how to balance this opportunity with your studies.

Also, if you have received 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 mornings of, but expect to see us between about 11-5 - look for the green flying suits…

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

19/09/2026

MEET OUR SLT🤩

Congratulations to the 6 students who earned their new roles with their seriously impressive work ethics, knowledge and selfless dedication to the squadron and their peers. We have already seen them step seamlessly into their leadership positions over summer and are assured that they will follow in the big footsteps of our wonderful outgoing SLT who lead us to victory as the ‘Best UAS’ winning the annual Hack Trophy at the national Symposium in July!

A further round of applause for our freshly awarded APOs; Bretz, Holland, Bennett and Cowley who have just completed the course at RAF Cranwell and are no doubt the right people for the duty.

🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗

19/09/2026

SWIPE TO SEE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING➡️

It really doesn’t get better than this, the slides say it all already, but there’s so much more where they came from…

What are you waiting for? Sign up today and write us your personal statement on why you want to be a part of this and why you’d be a good fit for the squadron. We believe in you.

LINK TO APPLICATION FORM IN BIO🔗

🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️🟨⬛️

Address

Bristol

Website

https://linktr.ee/bristoluas?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaebykzOh4iql5pGcrPaEEGEjvQzVcNKCI69TfcDKNXYiKXJtOwRO0Pu0FoG8Q_aem

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bristol University Air Squadron posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.