The Squadron’s town headquarters is in Oxford, and it flies the Grob Tutor from RAF Benson
Trains students from affiliated universities in leadership, adventurous training and flying.
The Squadron is made up of around 60 students and 7 staff.
Former members include The Dambusters: Leonard Cheshire and Melvin Young, ACM Wigston CBE and actors Richard Burton, Robert Hardy and Warren Mitchell.
Weekly training nights take place during term time at the Squadrons Town Headquarters (THQ) in central Oxford, just a short walk from Oxford Railway Station starting at 7pm. Apart from flying during term time Tuesday to Saturday and annual training camps at RAF Benson, OUAS regularly offers adventurous training expeditions and force development training within the UK and aboard. Recent expeditions include visits to Iceland, Malta and ski trips to France.
1925 Founded as the second University Air Squadron with 24 students all from Oxford University, based originally at Upper Heyford
1932 OUAS moved to RAF Abingdon
1939 Squadron disbanded, its members joining the RAF
1941 The Squadron was reformed to provide flying training to students and was based at RAF Abingdon. Members in these war years included Richard Burton and Warren Mitchell
1949 Flying was moved to RAF Kidlington
1958 Flying was moved to RAF Bicester
1975 Flying was moved back to RAF Abingdon
1986 Students from Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes) were admitted for the first time.
1992 Flying was moved to and still is at RAF Benson
2017 Admin Staff based at THQ in Oxford are moved to RAF Benson to join with Flying Staff, THQ still used for recruiting and town nights.
Oxford University Air Squadron, RAF Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6AA
Phone: 01491 837766/5227
Oxford University Air Squadron THQ, Oxpens Rd, City Centre, Oxford, OX1 1RX
Email: [email protected]
