Former grammar boy Mark passes his test with flying colours

FLYING Officer Mark Tillyard, a former Dover Grammar School pupil, has graduated from an initial officer training course at RAF College Cranwell.

HIGH FLYER: Mark Tillyard.

After leaving school, Mark, 22, whose parents Graham and Maggie live in Shepherdswell, gained a first class honours degree in air training engineering from the City University, London.

He will soon begin his professional training as an engineer at Cranwell, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

While at school Mark belonged to the Combined Cadet Force - (RAF) and later held an RAF bursary at university.

During his third year degree course he completed a placement at RAF Leuchars, working with the engineering wing and technicians from 43 (F) and 11 (F) Squadrons.

Last summer he visited the Falkland Islands with the University Air Squadron and has also done adventure sail training in the Canary Islands.

Mark enjoys sub aqua diving, sailing and hill walking. He is a Cub Scout leader. The aim of the initial officer training course is to provide officers with general service and character development training.

That should enable them to go on, with further professional training, to fill junior officer posts.

The 24-week course includes tough physical exercise.