APACHE HELICOPTER MAKES ‘FLYING VISIT’ TO CHELTENHAM COLLEGE

12 Jul 2017

An Army Air Corps Apache helicopter landed on College Field last week, to the delight of pupils, staff and many passers-by. It was piloted by Old Cheltonian, Captain Olly Snell (who left in 2004), who gave Combined Cadet Force (CCF) pupils a tour of the impressive helicopter and talked to them about the capabilities of the Apache, his time at College and his subsequent career in the Army.

Pupils also took part in a rotation of leadership tasks, individual movement, controlling air frames and weapons training in an exciting activity afternoon on College Field.

Contingent Commander of the CCF, Mr Ben Rees, commented, “It was a fantastic spectacle; these events are rare given the demand for the helicopters but we were very lucky to have the support of Capt Snell and his Regiment in what has been a highlight of the year for the CCF and College as a whole.”

Designed as a tank hunter, the Apache helicopters have seen action in Afghanistan and Libya and one was once flown by Prince Harry. Their maximum speed is 330kph and they weigh 7,746kg!

Photo: Captain Olly Snell with some of the CCF pupils