East of Scotland Universities' Air Squadron

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East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron RAF
G115E Tutor T1
Active
Role Training, Recruiting
Garrison/HQ RAF Leuchars
Motto Fancy a Rut?
Equipment Grob Tutor
Battle honours John Knight's War 2006
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Two lions rampant holding a book with the Saltire in the background.

The East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron (Scottish Gaelic: Sguadron Adhair Oilthighean Taobh an Ear na h-Alba), commonly known as ESUAS, is a squadron within the Royal Air Force established in 2003 as an amalgamation of "East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron" and "Aberdeen, Dundee and St. Andrew's Universities Air Squadron". It is based at Royal Air Force Leuchars, in Fife and flies a fleet of six Grob Tutors. The Squadron has four Flights, A, B, C and D; each with a student Flight Commander (until 2007 there were two flights; Northern and Southern). The Northern Flight served universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St. Andrew's, while the Southern Flight served the four universities located in Edinburgh), a total of nine universities. ESUAS is also the parent squadron of XII Air Experience Flight, who jointly fly ESUAS' Tutor fleet.

The current Commanding Officer is Squadron Leader Steve Ross BSc RAF. ESUAS also has another Qualified Flying Instructor and a Ground Training Instructor. There are some ninety students and some fifteen civilian support staff who are contracted from VT Aerospace. The current Senior Student is Acting Pilot Officer Steve May RAFVR.

Students volunteer to join ESUAS at their university's Freshers' Fair and then undergo a selection process. If successful they are attested and join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. ESUAS activities include flight, sports, military and leadership training, adventurous training, charity and community work and a vibrant social scene. The scope of ESUAS, like other University Air Squadrons is to let young people experience life in the Royal Air Force and to develop their skills in the fields mentioned.

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