The 12-year-old from Kirkburton, Huddersfield, is one of dozens young people from across Yorkshire who have become cadets during lockdown.
Air cadets is fun – even virtually
Mya who is a pupil at Kirkburton Middle School is enjoying all that her local unit, 868 (Mirfield) Squadron, has to offer, albeit virtually.
We meet online once or twice a week and get to do things I would never get the chance of anywhere else.
We’ve had a tour of the Houses of Parliament, talks about in-flight safety and we’ve even learned about space which was really exciting.
It will be a while before I get to meet anyone face-to-face but I know when I do I will be nervous but happy too.
Being a cadet is a step on her way
Maya’s Mum Kirsti said:
She’s dreamed of being a pilot since she was very small and being an Air Cadet is one step nearer for her.
She’s so keen on flying that we bought her a flying experience where she went up on a flight for her 10th and 11th birthdays.
When she was ten, she even wrote to Richard Branson asking for tips on becoming a woman pilot.
Joining the cadets
Mya’s Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell, said:
It’s great that young people are continuing to join the cadets during this lockdown period and it’s a tribute to the work of our adult volunteers and instructor cadets who put so much effort into providing engaging activities for our cadets to do online.
Obviously, it will be fantastic for everyone when things finally get back to normal. But in the meantime we’re very much making the most of the opportunities online technologies offer our young people.
