Activities of the Air Training Corps
These flights typically last 30 minutes; as part of a structured syllabus of training it is usual for the cadet to be offered the chance of flying the aircraft or of experiencing aerobatics.
Some Cadets who stand out from the rest may also get the opportunity to fly on a civil airliner or go on an overseas flight in an RAF Tri-Star, VC10 or Hercules.
A few cadets have also had the opportunity to fly in a variety of other aircraft including fast jets and the Red Arrows.
In general, every cadet will be given opportunities to fly during their time as an active member of an ATC or CCF squadron.
If selected, the cadet will receive up to 40 instructional launches on the Viking conventional glider (although if the student is close to solo standard it is not unusual for this limit to be exceeded).
Cadets who show the required aptitude and ability may go on to perform a solo flight and be awarded silver wings.
Since the ATC was originally a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force it made good sense for marksmanship to be on the training syllabus.
They can then progress to the L98A2GP (GP standing for Cadet General Purpose), a variant of the 5.56 mm L85A2, with the selector switch removed and locked on repetition.
The 7.62 mm Parker Hale L81A2 Cadet Target Rifle is also used at long ranges for competition shooting such as ISCRM.
The Air Cadets, as a uniformed youth organization, sets itself and its members very high standards, including dress and behaviour.
Adventure Training is defined as: "Challenging outdoor training for Personnel in specified adventurous activities, involving controlled exposure to risk, to develop leadership, teamwork, physical fitness, moral and physical courage, among other personal attributes and skills vital to operational capability.
[3] Within the ATC there are many opportunities to take part in adventure training, such as hillwalking, canoeing, kayaking, camouflage and concealment expeditions, hiking, and camping.
Adventure training can take place as part of regular squadron parade nights, weekend and week-long centres.
Although the ACO is generally focused on different activities, fieldcraft does play a part in most squadrons' training programmes.
Fieldcraft is taught from a single manual, common to all squadrons, so the basic lessons are very similar across the ATC; however, 'Consolidated Practical Training' (CPT) and full exercises differ greatly depending on local resources, staffing and skill levels.
Exercises and CPT place emphasis on different aspects of fieldcraft – some might need you and your team to move slowly and quietly while approaching an 'enemy' installation, others require speed as well as stealth, and a quick decision on how much of the one to trade off against the other.
Gold is taught and assessed on Corps (national) level, Gold leadership or the Air Cadet Leadership Course (ACLC) is a 10-day course, that comprises taught lessons, practical lessons and demonstrations, multiple high level Command tasks/practical leadership exercises (PTEs) Physical exercises intended to tire you and strain you (to see how you lead when your tired, worn out and under stress) two nights camping and assessments.
The Air Training Corps is the single largest operating authority of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award system and celebrated its 50th year of providing this opportunity to its cadets in 2006.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14–25.
Various units send two teams to the annual Nijmegen Vierdaagse Marches where on successful completion of the event they are awarded a medal.
During the course, cadets will learn how to plan and run an aerospace camp, and will undertake modules in Aviation Studies, Leadership, Air Power, Aerodynamics, Air Traffic Control, Navigation, Instructional Technique, RT and Basic Synthetic Flight Training.
The Cyber Security Courses can range from basic Anti-Virus protection to large scale hacking programmes.
Typical examples of such work include car parking duties at events and delivering copies of Gateway Magazine to RAF married quarters.
The Pipe Major's badge, composed of four inverted chevrons surmounted by a bagpipes is not permitted to be worn at any level.
The annual national Air Cadet music camp is held at RAF College Cranwell, HQ of the ATC.
A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, playing the National Anthem for the arrival of HRH Prince Charles and Camilla.
The first National Marching Band camp was held in October 2008 at Browndown Battery, with a performance being made in front of HMS Victory.
The band's most recent performances have been at Royal Air Force Museum London, the previous Hendon Aerodrome.
It covers basic awareness, prevention and treatment of non-freezing cold injuries and heatstroke, and is delivered at squadron-level as a series of short videos.
A series of first aid topics are covered during the course such as fainting, bleeding, head injuries and bites and stings.
