Flying start for Michael

Michael Cadwallader who graduated as an acting pilot officer

A newly-qualified Royal Air Force officer from Oldham is flying high after graduating from a prestigious military college.

Michael Cadwallader (20) graduated as an acting pilot officer from an Initial Officer Training Course at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

The 32-week course included basic military skills, theoretical and practical leadership training and physical training.

Michael, a former member of Royton Air Training Corps, where he was cadet sergeant, is a keen sportsman who enjoys rock climbing, rugby, fitness training and motor biking.

He joined 133 other cadets outside the historic Cranwell College Hall to parade in front of Vice-Admiral Peter Wilkinson, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel), while there were flypasts by RAF Cranwell and RAF Coningsby aircraft.

Michael, whose parents Phillip and Susan still live in Oldham, is a former pupil of St Augustine of Canterbury RC High School and Oldham Sixth Form College. He joined the RAF in March and now begins training on the Junior Regiment Officers’ Course at RAF Honington.