The organization was officially incorporated as a charitable, voluntary non-profit corporation with the mandate of working in partnership with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to sponsor young males from 12 to 18 years of age, as future aircrew.

In preparation for a career in the RCAF, cadets from all across Canada receive a thorough introduction to aeronautical subjects such as navigation, mechanics and flying, as well as an orientation to military life.

One of the greatest benefits of Air Cadet training is the camaraderie found in being part of a youth program that is focused on good citizenship, character-building and community involvement.

Scenes of RCAF bombers, including the Avro Lancaster and a pair of Handley Page Halifax bombers as well as a formation flight of Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft, however, were photographed in flight by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Overseas Film Unit in Great Britain.

[5] Director Jane Marsh's editing approach and her ability to incorporate a multitude of distinct sequences was "instinctual with a powerful artistic and political force.

[Note 1] Greene, known for his deep baritone voice on both radio broadcasts as a news announcer at CBC as well as narrating many of the Canada Carries On series, would have been too powerful a presence in a story of the young people in the Air Cadets.

The NFB had an arrangement with Famous Players theatres to ensure that Canadians from coast-to-coast could see them, with further distribution by Columbia Pictures.

What remains of Air Cadets, at present, is a 20-minute internegative copy consisting of individual film scenes that were shot by director Jane Marsh Beveridge and her cinematographers.