[2] The trophy had originally been presented by the Royal Air Squadron as part of the British Aerobatic Association's annual competition, first contested in 1967.

[4] Any CCF(RAF) section that can field a full team of 13 cadets, ideally drawn from a wide range of age groups, is able to take part in the competition.

[2] The first, second, and third placed teams from each of the six regions qualify for the national finals, held at RAF Halton in Spring each year.

[6] Individual event winners at the national finals, such as in Drill or First aid, are usually invited and given direct entry to the national competition of that discipline within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets or the wider UK Military Cadet Forces in the following year.

The Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword is also presented on the day to the best overall cadet in the CCF(RAF), along with Flying Foundation Medals to the six finalists of the interview process.