After retiring from the service in 1929, Chamier became Secretary-General of the Air League; an organisation made up of people who wanted to make the British public aware of the importance of military aviation.

The new ATC squadrons adopted training programmes to prepare young men for entry into the Royal Air Force.

Squadrons arranged visits to RAF and Fleet Air Arm stations as part of the cadets' training, where a flight might be a possibility.

[14] As of 2013, the GVCAC still exists, although in greatly reduced numbers due to competition from the ATC, and the two organisations no longer share a site.

Some wings ran courses that would involve the cadet spending a few days learning, and then awarded the appropriate classification if successful in their exams.

There are subordinate headquarters at region and wing levels, staffed by RAF and RAFAC officers[note 1] and civil servants.

HQ RAFAC controls two National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centres (NACATC): at Fairbourne, Gwynedd, Wales; and Windermere, Cumbria, England.

Where a unit has other members of staff, the OC usually allocates duties and provides recommendations on appointments, retentions, and promotions.

A Civilian Committee (or 'CivCom') underpins all local funding that the RAF centrally cannot provide beyond core services for an individual squadron.

Since the Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAV) and civilian instructors (CI) in the ATC have no financial responsibilities, but still need money to manage and support cadet activities such as annual and overseas camps and adventure training, the funding responsibilities lie with the Civilian Committee.

The squadron commander and chaplain are ex-officio members of their civilian committee, and have no voting rights; however, common sense determines they may advise in squadron-related matters.

All No.2 uniform, except black parade shoes and combat boots are provided at the expense of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

There are also opportunities for band music, and many camps offer teenagers the chance to spend a week away from parents, practising fieldcraft or receiving instruction in gliding and other outdoor pursuits.

Annual camps are organised at Wing level, with place for all squadrons, so that every cadet who wishes to and who has achieved at least the First Class qualification may take part.

The itinerary includes typical ATC activities, such as drill, air experience flying, shooting, and adventure training.

[36] On air display days, cadets have jobs to do, and after the show weekend they are able to meet the crews and see the aeroplanes at close range.

Since the end of the Cold War, and the closure of RAF stations in Germany, the number of overseas camp opportunities has decreased.

The Sir Alan Lees trophy is awarded by the commandant Air Training Corps to the squadron with the best statistics and overall impression when inspected.

The Quinton Memorial Trophy is a national award presented annually to the adult non-commissioned officer (NCO) who has gained the top academic results in the senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) initial courses held at the Air Cadet Adult Training Facility, Royal Air Force College Cranwell (RAFC).

Once cadets have successfully completed lessons in a number of subjects and achieved first class classification, they are able to take part in almost all ATC activities.

All cadets over the age of 18 must complete an Adult Volunteer Induction Programme (AVIP) prior to their 18th birthday, and must be cleared by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Once the Wing Commander approves the promotion to Cadet Warrant Officer, the recommendation is sent to HQ RAFAC at RAFC Cranwell.

[52] The course culminates in a 'Graduation Week' which is organised to coincide with the Easter holidays to avoid clashing with school programmes.

After completing training in various modules, they carry out examinations in all modules (air traffic control, air power, flight simulators, aerodynamics, and Instructional Teaching and Presentation Skills (ITPS)); satisfactory performance in all exams results in the cadet being awarded the pale blue QAIC lanyard and flight suit badge.

[55][56] Three categories of supervisory staff run the Air Training Corps (ATC) at the unit level: commissioned officers, senior NCOs, and civilian instructors (CIs).

In November 2021, rower Emma Wolstenholme was appointed Wing Commander (RAFAC) and Honorary Ambassador to the Air Cadets.

Adult SNCOs and warrant officers (WO) are uniformed in the same way as their RAF counterparts, except that the embroidered text of 'RAF AIR CADETS' appears below their rank insignia.

The role of the chaplain in the ATC is to 'provide appropriate pastoral care for all personnel within the Air Cadet Organisation, irrespective of religious belief or status'.

[68] A chaplain's role in the local squadron is to offer guidance and leadership to cadets and members of staff on moral and spiritual matters.

The commitment expected of a chaplain is a monthly visit to lead what is termed 'the Padre's hour', and to conduct the formal Enrolment Service when new cadets join.