Pre-Second World War
 The
idea of University Air Squadrons was originally conceived by Marshal
of the Royal Air Force Sir Hugh Trenchard. Cambridge University,
which was the first squadron of its kind anywhere in the world,
was formed on 1st October 1925. All the members were undergraduates
of the University, the very first member being G H Watkins, the
famous explorer who pioneered expeditions on the Arctic air routes
in Greenland.
Initially, the Squadrons were equipped with such front-line aircraft
as the Bristol F2B Fighter, still in service from the First World
War, but these soon gave way to more modern training aircraft, such
as the Avro 504N and Avro Tutor, which became standard equipment
for all UASs until 1939. The Munich Crisis and the period of re-armament
just prior to the Second World War required a massive increase in
number of pilot and officer recruits, and many more UASs were formed
before and during the war years to provide for this need. During
this time most Squadrons were flying de Havilland Tiger Moths, and
these were supplemented with North American Harvards, a type which
was to remain
in UAS service to the end of the 1950s.
In keeping with academic links forged between the Royal Air Force
and Cambridge University, a Research Flight was incorporated into
the Squadron, under aegis of the University's first professor of
Aeronautics, Sir Bennett Melville Jones, and investigations ranged
from upper air microbiological experiments to the cause of aircraft
accidents.
A wind tunnel was built as a joint venture and was used by Sir Frank
Whittle in designing the early jet when he was at Cambridge in 1939.In
the 1920s and 1930s the 100 members, flying from Duxford, carried
out flying training during term time, but shortly before the Second
World War the flying HQ moved to Marshall of Cambridge Airport.The
training value of the Squadron was recognised in the 1940s as a
much larger unit for the training of reserve pilots. Many former
members distinguished themselves in the war with the Victoria Cross,
17 DSOs and over 70 DFCs being won.
1946 to the present
 The
post-war years saw the new Squadrons being largely maintained, with
some rationalisation and reorganisation, but the value of the Squadrons
in providing a high calibre of recruit had been fully recognised,
so the UASs were less affected by the post-war draw-down of the
RAF than were other areas. 1950 saw the introduction into service
of a brand new training aircraft, the de Havilland Chipmunk.
The Graduate Entry Scheme was introduced in 1969, and during the
1970s some 50% of RAF pilots entered the service as University Graduates.
In April 1973 the Scottish Aviation Bulldog began to replace the
Chipmunk as the standard RAF primary training aircraft.
Today and tomorrow
In 1995 the University Air Squadrons were recognised by Defence
Cost Study as being the future primary source of RAF pilots; some
50-60% of RAF pilots are UAS trained at present. Although most UAS
members are interested in flying with the RAF, the 1990s saw a
great increase in the number of students wishing to enter the
Ground Branches of the service; 1998 saw the introduction of a formal
Ground Branch syllabus as a response to this, a syllabus that includes
an Air Experience Course.
In 1999, after some 55 years flying from Cambridge Airport, CUAS
moved to RAF Wyton, re-equipped with the New Grob 115E 'Tutor',
a modern all composite construction training aircraft. In 2005
the Marston Report into the future of the University Air Squadrons saw a
reappraisal of the role of Cambridge UAS, placing heavier influences on
Personal Development and Adventure Training, as well as retaining a formal
flying syllabus. Hours flown with the squadron can count towards the award of a UK National Private
Pilot's Licence.
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