A SALISBURY air cadet has been chosen out of 40,000 air cadets to represent the UK at an international exchange in Canada.

Cadet Warrant Officer Stuart Strachan, 19, is one of 80 cadets chosen for the two-week trip, which will see him join high-fliers from the USA, Singapore, France and Japan in a cultural exchange.

In his six years at No 1010 (City of Salisbury) Squadron, the former Bishop Wordsworth’s School pupil has represented the Dorset and Wiltshire Wing on the rugby field, taken part in rifle shooting competitions and completed the cadets’ training syllabus.

In 2012 he was awarded a flying scholarship and did his first solo flight at the age of 16. He was then awarded a gliding scholarship in 2013 and then underwent gliding instructor training.

Last year he also graduated from the Qualified Aerospace Instructors’ Course, a six-month course where 40 cadets are chosen out of 40,000, and was chosen to fly on-board a Royal Air Force Tri-star as part of the Queen’s birthday flypast over Buckingham Palace.

He complete further gliding development courses which saw him achieve his Grade 2 Pilot award.

Cadet Warrant Officer Strachan has now undergone a rigorous selection process to be awarded a Bristow Helicopters’ flying scholarship.