Activities

We try to have a varied programme on squadron nights. You could be learning how aircraft get into the air, or maybe you could be taking part in the many sporting activities we regularly do. You could find yourself preparing for a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expedition.

The ATC is the largest organisation that undertakes the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the country. The squadron also undertakes many forms of adventure training, from navigation exercises to camping and fieldcraft. Cadets can go on Wing run Adventure Training Weekends. These include canoeing courses on the River Thames, and also Mountain Activity Courses run at the ATC training centres in The Lake District and North Wales.

Shooting: The ATC promotes the safe handling of many weapons and cadets can go on to enter many competitions within the organisation. Cadets can shoot air rifles, .22 weapons and go on to use the 5.56mm Cadet rifle. All shooting activities are overseen by qualified Range Conducting Officers, all trained and certified by the RAF.

Flying: The ATC aims to get each cadet airborne at least once a year. Indeed the ATC operates a fleet of nearly 100 Grob Tutor training aircraft, and operates the largest Gliding organisation in the world, with over 120 Gliders, located at 26 Gliding Schools across the country. Think about this: At the age of 16 you could be going solo in a glider, that's before you can even drive!

Cadets also get the opportunity to fly in RAF operational aircraft. Cadets could find themselves in the back of a Chinook helicopter, or carrying out Air-to-Air refuelling ever the North Sea.

You can find more information about the activities on offer with Air Training Corps on the Air Cadet Organisation website