THE sky’s the limit for Redditch Air Cadet Ben Hudson after he was named the best male cadet in the entire RAF Air Training Corp.
Ben, a Cadet Warrrant Officer based at 216 Redditch ATC progressed through local and regional levels to the national finals where he endured a series of ‘Dragon’s Den’ type tests.
At the end of all that he and London-based Cadet Warrant Officer Ivar Morgani were tied, and so both will hold the top position as winners of the ‘Dacre Sword’.
“My goal has always been to fly and be a pilot and I’m absolutely delighted to win this award,” said Ben, who, at the age of 19 will be ‘aged out’ of the ATC when he turns 20 later this year.
That dream is still on hold though – coronavirus put paid to his place on a Jet 2 pilot training scheme, and he’s still thinking about applying to the RAF.
In the meantime he’s looking to an apprenticeship with the police in the hope of becoming a pilot with the National Police air Service.
Not that the former St Augustine’s student is a stranger to the pilot’s controls having earned his wings flying gliders with the Cadets.
His commanding officer, Flight Lieutenant Kylie Chestern said: “Ben has been good since they day he started, and has taken advantage of everything the ATC has to offer.
“He’s done his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, gone to America on a cadet exchange, has won lots of awards, attended major ceremonial occasions and is always immaculately turned out.”
Ben is also one of Lord Lieutenant Lt Col Patrick Holcroft’s chosen Cadets assisting him for Royal visits and presentations.
He said: I congratulate Ben on this outstanding achievement, of which he should be very proud.”
For more on 216 Redditch ATC visit https://www.216atc.co.uk/.
