886 (City of Ripon) Sqn, Ripon Air Cadets

04/05/2026

Its been a busy weekend for the Squadron, not least for our Sgt Jonty Ledbetter who achieved his RAFAC Silver Wings today!
Congratulations Jonty and we hope its the start of a passion in aviation! 👏👏✈️

✈️🙌🏻 Bank Holiday Solo For Ripon Cadet, Jonty Ledbetter! 🙌🏻✈️🥈

Today, we saw another cadet fly an aircraft solo, achieving their RAFAC Silver Wings.

Cadet Sergeant (Cdt Sgt) Jonty Ledbetter, from 886 (City Of Ripon) Squadron, Central & East Yorkshire Wing, has attended the unit for the last few months. He has had a strong ambition to fly solo, battling crosswinds and poor weather. Today, it paid off and he has flown an aircraft solo for the first time.

Well done on earning your RAFAC Silver Wings Jonty, from all the staff and instructors at 645 VGS, RAF Topcliffe.

Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
886 (City of Ripon) Sqn, Ripon Air Cadets
2 Flying Training School

Photo: Cdt Sgt Jonty Ledbetter is given his RAFAC Silver Wings by 645 VGS Chief Flying Instructor, Flt Lt Jordan Cameron.

03/05/2026

Amazing work from team 886 at today's Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC Inter Squadron Athletics!
Many medals, 3rd in U16 Girls and 3rd Overall. 👏👏🏅

03/05/2026

A wonderful evening last night as the squadron celebrated the 85th Anniversary of the ATC. Thanks to CI Atkinson and Lonie for their work in organising the evening, Sgt Ledbetter for his magic show and special thanks to the venue catering team at The Arches, Holy Trinity Ripon for a wonderful menu!

15/04/2026

14/04/2026

14/04/2026

A Historic Day in Ripon and Central & East Yorkshire Wing
Today was truly one for the history books. Over 600 Cadets and volunteers from across the the area gathered to participate in the largest RAF Air Cadets parade the country has seen in years.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to:
Ripon City Council for their invaluable support in making this event possible.

Further thanks to the People of Ripon for turning out in such great numbers to witness the rare spectacle of an "all blue" parade through the city streets and putting up with road closure disruptions.

Most importantly, a massive thank you goes to our incredible Cadets and Volunteers. You truly put your best foot forward today—and we certainly noticed those mirror-shined shoes!

Share Your Highlights
We will be posting more photos and videos as they come in. If you were there today, we’d love to see the event through your eyes—**please share your snaps and videos in the comments below!**

12/04/2026

23/03/2026

22/02/2026

Something a little different on one of our recent parade evenings was a night at the Harrogate Climbing Centre.
The centre staff were amazing instructors and it was great to run into some familiar faces at the centre too.

17/12/2025

Last week we celebrated the Cadets achievements of the past 12 months.
We had presentations from FS Fallis on his experience on camp at RAF Lossiemouth, Sgt Frady on his recent Gliding Scholarship at 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron and Sgt Fielding with her time completing her Silver DofE Expedition with the Central & East Yorkshire Wing team.
We had many certificate presentations of Classification and Progressive Training Syllabus qualifications and rounded of with Squadron awards and promotions;
Bearing & Deportment: Cdt Haley
Best Attendance, RBL Community Shield & Best NCO: Sgt Fielding
Academic Achievement: Cdt Semark
Sporting Achievement & Archery Award: Cdt Angus
Shooting Achievement: Cpl Danila
RAFA Endeavour Award: Cpl Safhil
Flying Achievement: Sgt Frady
Most Promising New Cadet: Cdt Tate
Best Cadet: Cdt Turner
Promotions to Cpl: Cdt Haley
Promotion to Sgt: Cpl Ledbetter

Thank you to our guests The Mayor of Ripon, Cllr Brodigan, Sector Commander, Sqn Ldr Walker, RBL President and RAFA Chair, Sqn Ldr Mike Chambers for attending and presenting awards.
But most of all, congratulations to all our Cadets on their work and achievements this year and a massive thank you to our volunteers, CivComm and parents for enabling the squadron to do what it does.

FgOff Wayne Cobbett
OC 886 (City of Ripon) Sqn, Ripon Air Cadets

North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets Royal Air Force Air Cadets