The aim of all University Air Squadrons is to allow those potential RAF officers to experience service life and to allow them to decide whether they are suited to it.

[4] Students follow a modified form of the Elementary Flying Syllabus covering the basics of flight up to solo navigation exercises.

Each student is officially allocated 10 hours of flying training each year, though occasionally some flyers exceed this amount.

Organised by the students in the units, Thunderer Squadron (DTUS[6]) contributed a weekend of AT in the Snowdonia National Park.

In previous years small deployments to Canada, for open canoeing and dog sledding, and skiing in the European Alps have taken place.

Student instructors have assisted regular forces to mount expeditions overseas, most recently Rock Climbing high in the Italian Dolomites.

[citation needed] In addition to larger expeditions, weekends in the Snowdonia National Park and Brecons Beacons of Wales to improve climbing and mountaineering skills are a regular occurrence.

In Summer 2010, a two-week expedition led by a student along the south coast of the UK reached and returned from Dartmouth in challenging weather.

They support the Royal British Legion by selling poppies on their university campus' in uniform every year before Remembrance Day.

Other examples of their volunteering and charity work includes marshaling the Oakhaven Half Marathon every year in uniform and participation in plane-pulling contests.

Apart from fundraising, members of the squadron also attend JET's Blue Skies Program days in order to assist with their running.

The squadron also competes in inter-UAS competitions and occasionally provide an RAF presence at major sporting fixtures.

A Mess Committee is ratified by the student body each year: positions include Entertainments, Bar, Shop and Digital Media.