News January / February 2007

January / February 2007

The Peoples' Quiz

By FS Hussain Kayani

The People’s Quiz is a quiz which is open to any member of the public and tests your general knowledge. There are 200,700 questions from which you can be asked ten-sounds easy doesn’t it, but it’s not as simple as you think it is. Also, there’s a prize of Ł200,700 for the winner. Ironically, all of the questions and answers are available on the BBC website, but when there are 200,700 of them it makes things just a tad more difficult!

I was ecstatic when asked to represent the Air Training Corps at The People’s Quiz, and I was accompanied by some of my cadets for support. I was also accompanied by Douglas, our squadron mascot, who is a seven foot mannequin!

We arrived at the SECC at 7:30am and were greeted by one of the producers who asked if they could film us with Douglas, and we said yes. I was surprised they came straight to us, as there were many other people there, but I suppose anyone would when they see a seven foot mannequin dressed in a full flying suit. While I was sitting outside the studio waiting to be called in my stomach was in knots as I wanted to get through to the next round and represent the Corps, but at the same time I knew how difficult some of the questions were…

Finally I was called in to be wired up to a microphone and then I went into another room where I was given a quick interview by Jamie Theakston, before going into the studio. After doing the quick interview with Jamie I went into the studio where I was greeted by Myleene Klass, William G Stewart and Kate Garraway, who were the judges on the panel. I was then asked a couple of questions about the Air Training Corp and about the uniform, and then I was asked the dreaded ten questions!

I seemed to be put at ease by some of the questions I was asked as they were easier than I had anticipated them to be. However, as I got further in answering the questions, the more difficult they became. Unfortunately, I got the 9^th question wrong and didn’t get through to the next round. However, one of the producers came and informed me that anyone could try as many times as they wanted to, but it would take a while as now more people started to queue up.

The reason I was so upset when I didn’t get through was because, I was hoping to buy the squadron a new minibus if won, but when presented with the chance of having a second attempt, I was more determined than ever, and tried again! This time when I went back through to the studio, I was doing much better than before, until I reached the final question. My last and final question tested my knowledge on boy bands, which I am afraid to say is extremely limited. So, unfortunately I didn’t get through to the next round. I was then walked out by Myleene who congratulated me for my effort and tenacity.

Overall, the whole experience was fantastic, even if I did not make it through, as it was a great opportunity to tell the public about the Air Training Corps. Also, we were able to rub shoulders with some celebrities. I am also pleased to report that everyone at the quiz were commenting on how well the cadet’s behaviour was and how smart they all looked. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Wing Staff for giving me this opportunity and also the cadets who attended the quiz - they were a credit to themselves and the squadron.

As far the idea of getting a new minibus for the squadron is concerned, I’m sure we will find other means of getting a new squadron minibus. We are Air Cadets after all!

Regional Commandants Visit

By Cpl Kayani Z

It was on a Wednesday parade night when we had a visit from the regional commandant of Scotland and Northern Ireland, Group Captain M. Urqhart. We were all preparing for this night for a week beforehand ,when we were informed that the Regional Commandant would be stopping to visit our squadron on her tour of Glasgow and West Scotland Wing. Firstly we all made sure that our uniforms were up to the standard expected of the cadets from 2175 (Rolls-Royce) squadron. Then we did all our daily routines and checked that everything was perfect.

As the Regional Commandant’s car drew in, I got a positive feeling that everything was going to be fine. We all formed up and the Regional Commandant did an inspection of the squadron. The Regional Commandant was asking all the cadets questions and the cadets replied very positively. The questions were mainly about our future career.

As soon as we all got dismissed from parade we got to our classes where the Regional Commandant paid us a very interesting visit. The second half of the night was the most interesting and the greatest part of the night, as now it was our turn to ask the Regional Commandant questions.

The cadets had a bash and got into a very relaxed ‘chit-chat’ with the Regional Commandant, as she dismissed the officers of the squadron. We asked her about her RAF career and how she got into it, the time taken to achieve her rank, the benefits and many more personal questions. We also enquired about camps and the next ones that will be coming up.

The experience of having a good chat with the Regional Commandant can not be put into words. You have to be there to experience it, as it is a time worth not missing. Overall I had a fantastic and a very relaxed time having the Regional Commandant at our Squadron. I know I speak for the whole squadron when I say, “We would love for the Regional Commandant to pay another visit at any time suitable for her.”

Millport Sponsored Cycle

By Cdt Kayani QA

It was a cold wintry morning. We all had to be at Paisley Gilmore Station at 7:00am. The people who were going to Millport was Flight Sergeant Kayani, Corporal Kayani, cadet Kelly, Cadet Hastie, Corporal McGregor, Cadet McKinnon, Cadet Bagnol and I. Flight Sergeant Gralko was going to meet us at the station but the rest of Johnston squadron was going to meet us at Johnston train station. They all jumped in to the train and so did Flight Lieutenant Falconer. Eventually we had got off the train and we all walked and had stopped somewhere beside Gregg’s. Flight Lieutenant Falconer said you have a little time until we go on the ferry but if you want something to eat you can go. I had got a Gregg’s and after I had got my food the Flight Sergeant got tickets for Corporal Kayani and me. The ferry arrived and we all got on it. As soon as you knew it we had already arrived to Millport. We all got off it and this woman took a picture of all of us and then we were set to walk.

We all started to walk and we were talking but I got bored quickly so I took out my Ipod video and started to listen to my music. From time to time Flight Lieutenant Falconer stopped us to take a break. We were walking for so long I was sweating but I didn’t know how many miles I had been walking for. I remember we stopped at a park for about 5 minutes and then we started to walk on. We walked on and on and we took a little break and we threw some stones in to the water. We walked on and on but we took no breaks and my legs were beginning to hurt as anything but I couldn’t stop I kept saying in to myself, I had to keep going. We were 10 minutes away and Corporal Kayani run up to me and said “stay with the squadron” because I was ahead of everyone and I was far away from the squadron. Hastie was running and saying “the first person who finishes gets a prize” so Corporal Kayani and I ran like mad and we both ended up drawing. But, we learned that there really wasn’t a prize, but it felt great to run because it got my legs warmed up and avoided getting cramp.

We took a few pictures and headed back. We spent a few minutes in Largs playing about in the arcade and got food again. We headed back and got on the train. We were talking about new movies and football.

Overall I would recommend this to anyone as it was so much fun, but at the same time it was all going to a good cause, the Accord Hospice. I’m looking forward to this next year!

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