Opportunities with the Air Cadets
The Air Training Corps (ATC) is the RAF’s ultimate challenge for youth. It provides aviation-related training for young people of both sexes aged between 13 and 20, as well as promoting a range of activities from gliding to rock climbing. Woodford & Bramhall ATC is a great place to make friends, build confidence and learn new skills. Here are some great reasons to find out more and get involved with 55 Woodford & Bramhall ATC:
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What we do...
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Name any activity, there's a high chance that there is an Air Cadet doing that activity somewhere in the UK.
Flying/Gliding
All cadets have the opportunity to experience flying at one of the RAF Air Experience Flights. Cadets fly with experienced military pilots and are given hands on experience of flying one of the modern twin seat training aircraft used to complete the initial training of RAF pilots as well as having some fun and flying aerobatics. The ATC’s own fleet of gliders, both powered and winch launched, are used to give cadets further flying training. Cadets complete a structured course and those selected for Gliding Scholarships are trained how to fly the aircraft up to a solo standard if they demonstrate sufficient skill. Cadets are also eligible for a variety of Flying Scholarships and can also attend courses on micro lights, hang-gliding and parachuting.
All cadets have the opportunity to experience flying at one of the RAF Air Experience Flights. Cadets fly with experienced military pilots and are given hands on experience of flying one of the modern twin seat training aircraft used to complete the initial training of RAF pilots as well as having some fun and flying aerobatics. The ATC’s own fleet of gliders, both powered and winch launched, are used to give cadets further flying training. Cadets complete a structured course and those selected for Gliding Scholarships are trained how to fly the aircraft up to a solo standard if they demonstrate sufficient skill. Cadets are also eligible for a variety of Flying Scholarships and can also attend courses on micro lights, hang-gliding and parachuting.
Drill and Ceremonial
What's the point of drill and parade? You may think it doesn't have much to do with things like adventurous training, or leadership. That's not the case at all! It shows how disciplined and organised you can be as an individual, remembering instructions and carrying them out accurately. More importantly, it shows your ability to work in a team and is a way
of displaying the high standards of dress and behaviour which air cadets are renowned for.
When a group of twenty cadets walk on to a parade square they are all individuals, but as soon as a session of drill begins the cadets become a team, following the orders given by one person. Instead of twenty individual feet hitting the ground, there is only one sound. This is the result of practice and teamwork.
What's the point of drill and parade? You may think it doesn't have much to do with things like adventurous training, or leadership. That's not the case at all! It shows how disciplined and organised you can be as an individual, remembering instructions and carrying them out accurately. More importantly, it shows your ability to work in a team and is a way
of displaying the high standards of dress and behaviour which air cadets are renowned for.
When a group of twenty cadets walk on to a parade square they are all individuals, but as soon as a session of drill begins the cadets become a team, following the orders given by one person. Instead of twenty individual feet hitting the ground, there is only one sound. This is the result of practice and teamwork.
Wing Training Day
Battle of the squadrons! Once per year there is a one day event called 'Wing Training Day' where each squadron puts teams together for various competitions including Drill, Banner Drill, First Aid, Aircraft Recognition and Aircraft Modelling. Winners then progress to Region Training Day and possibly further.
Battle of the squadrons! Once per year there is a one day event called 'Wing Training Day' where each squadron puts teams together for various competitions including Drill, Banner Drill, First Aid, Aircraft Recognition and Aircraft Modelling. Winners then progress to Region Training Day and possibly further.
Formal Dinners
We have formal dinners officially known as 'Dining In Night' usually held once per year to 'Dine In' new members of the squadron we welcome each year. These evenings are a formal celebration of our young people and what they have achieved in the year such as promotions, BTEC qualifications and many more achievements.
We have formal dinners officially known as 'Dining In Night' usually held once per year to 'Dine In' new members of the squadron we welcome each year. These evenings are a formal celebration of our young people and what they have achieved in the year such as promotions, BTEC qualifications and many more achievements.
Target Shooting
We’ll teach you to handle a variety of weapons safely. Firing is always done lying on your stomach (the prone position) at static targets. Progress through the course and you'll experience different types of weapons and could even take part in shooting competitions if you really prove your skills.
We’ll teach you to handle a variety of weapons safely. Firing is always done lying on your stomach (the prone position) at static targets. Progress through the course and you'll experience different types of weapons and could even take part in shooting competitions if you really prove your skills.
Sports
As an air cadet you can take part in a variety of sports at different levels. You may be given the opportunity to represent your squadron, wing, region and perhaps even corps. Whatever you do, it will help improve your physical fitness levels and team working.
We partake in the following sports; Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Swimming.
As an air cadet you can take part in a variety of sports at different levels. You may be given the opportunity to represent your squadron, wing, region and perhaps even corps. Whatever you do, it will help improve your physical fitness levels and team working.
We partake in the following sports; Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Swimming.
Adventure Training
A huge part of cadet training. We have two centres, at Windermere in the Lake District and Llanbedr in coastal Wales, both with stunning scenery. Rock climbing, abseiling, high-level hill walking, mountain-biking, obstacle courses, kayaking, canoeing, high rope work and sailing are all par for the course. All activities are supervised by nationally qualified adult staff and as such different activities are undertaken more regularly in different squadrons.
A huge part of cadet training. We have two centres, at Windermere in the Lake District and Llanbedr in coastal Wales, both with stunning scenery. Rock climbing, abseiling, high-level hill walking, mountain-biking, obstacle courses, kayaking, canoeing, high rope work and sailing are all par for the course. All activities are supervised by nationally qualified adult staff and as such different activities are undertaken more regularly in different squadrons.
Easter/ Summer Camp
An essential part of learning about our parent organisation, the RAF, is to experience life on an RAF station. Cadets have the opportunity to attend camps and visit the various different sections, complete work experience in different areas and enjoy a range of different activities with cadets from other squadrons throughout Greater Manchester Wing.
An essential part of learning about our parent organisation, the RAF, is to experience life on an RAF station. Cadets have the opportunity to attend camps and visit the various different sections, complete work experience in different areas and enjoy a range of different activities with cadets from other squadrons throughout Greater Manchester Wing.
Overseas Camp
Camps are not just limited to the UK, there are camps available in Gibraltar, Germany and Cyprus, while the International Air Cadet Exchange could take you to one of many different countries. There are also adventure training camps, music camps and work experience camps in a variety of fields. You could spend 10 days in Cyprus with fantastic weather, swimming, sailing, and maybe even see the Red Arrows practise their displays (they train there). Head to Germany where you'll visit a city or cemetery from the First and Second World Wars. You may even get to fly in helicopters - another exciting possibility for cadets.
Camps are not just limited to the UK, there are camps available in Gibraltar, Germany and Cyprus, while the International Air Cadet Exchange could take you to one of many different countries. There are also adventure training camps, music camps and work experience camps in a variety of fields. You could spend 10 days in Cyprus with fantastic weather, swimming, sailing, and maybe even see the Red Arrows practise their displays (they train there). Head to Germany where you'll visit a city or cemetery from the First and Second World Wars. You may even get to fly in helicopters - another exciting possibility for cadets.
Leadership
You may have more talent for it than you think. Leadership qualities are in all of us and the physically demanding 7-day summer cadet leadership course will help bring them out. Make it through and you’ll be a more confident and responsible cadet having learnt the full benefits of working in and leading a team. Then, for an extra challenge, you could find yourself at the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park in Surrey. All cadet forces throughout the UK (and some from overseas) attend courses there. Really flex your skills and you could come out with a trophy for your achievements.
You may have more talent for it than you think. Leadership qualities are in all of us and the physically demanding 7-day summer cadet leadership course will help bring them out. Make it through and you’ll be a more confident and responsible cadet having learnt the full benefits of working in and leading a team. Then, for an extra challenge, you could find yourself at the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park in Surrey. All cadet forces throughout the UK (and some from overseas) attend courses there. Really flex your skills and you could come out with a trophy for your achievements.
BTECs
BTECs are always popular and a widely recognised qualification - more than 4,000 cadets have registered for the First Diploma in Public Services and over 6,000 have signed up for the First Diploma in Aviation Studies. A number of our Cadets at 55 Squadron ATC have earned both BTECS.
BTECs are always popular and a widely recognised qualification - more than 4,000 cadets have registered for the First Diploma in Public Services and over 6,000 have signed up for the First Diploma in Aviation Studies. A number of our Cadets at 55 Squadron ATC have earned both BTECS.
Fieldcraft
Fieldcraft training is both fun and useful. Cadets learn how to build shelters, cook in the field, use a map and compass and keep themselves hidden. Fieldcraft also offers a range of opportunities for leadership training at all levels. Introduction to the knowledge and application of basic military tactics is a skillset that cadets may find interesting if they are considering a career in the Armed Forces.
Fieldcraft training is both fun and useful. Cadets learn how to build shelters, cook in the field, use a map and compass and keep themselves hidden. Fieldcraft also offers a range of opportunities for leadership training at all levels. Introduction to the knowledge and application of basic military tactics is a skillset that cadets may find interesting if they are considering a career in the Armed Forces.
First Aid
First Aid is another essential skill you can pick up - train in this important area and you may be awarded a certificate from St Johns Ambulance. If those skills were called upon, you could make all the difference in a life or death situation.
First Aid is another essential skill you can pick up - train in this important area and you may be awarded a certificate from St Johns Ambulance. If those skills were called upon, you could make all the difference in a life or death situation.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
You may of heard of the D of E (Duke of Edinburgh's) Award, but don't know what it is or whether it's for you. Well, it's for everyone who likes a challenge. Their mission is simple - 'to inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development, and recognise their achievements'. To put it another way, they help you succeed. With the same sense of adventure that drew you to the Air Cadets in the first place, the D of E takes you through a programme of activities that will leave you a more confident, motivated and capable person.
If you're 14 or over, then you can begin - just ask the instructors at your squadron and they'll help you get started. There are three levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. And it's never too late to get in on the action - depending on your age you may be able to jump straight in at Silver or Gold level!
There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold:
Volunteering - Get involved providing services to individuals or the community and make a difference to other people.
Physical - Get active and improve your skills and fitness in sport, dance or other physical activities - it's your choice
Skills - Find new interests and get new talents (or perfect existing ones), with increased practical and social skills
Expedition - Get outdoors and plan, train for and complete an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
Residential - Only at Gold level. Getting to the Gold level is a big deal and this last stage could see you going to another country, sharing tasks and activities with people you've never met. It'll test your mettle, and set you up for what life throws at you in the future.
For more information visit www.dofe.org
You may of heard of the D of E (Duke of Edinburgh's) Award, but don't know what it is or whether it's for you. Well, it's for everyone who likes a challenge. Their mission is simple - 'to inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development, and recognise their achievements'. To put it another way, they help you succeed. With the same sense of adventure that drew you to the Air Cadets in the first place, the D of E takes you through a programme of activities that will leave you a more confident, motivated and capable person.
If you're 14 or over, then you can begin - just ask the instructors at your squadron and they'll help you get started. There are three levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. And it's never too late to get in on the action - depending on your age you may be able to jump straight in at Silver or Gold level!
There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold:
Volunteering - Get involved providing services to individuals or the community and make a difference to other people.
Physical - Get active and improve your skills and fitness in sport, dance or other physical activities - it's your choice
Skills - Find new interests and get new talents (or perfect existing ones), with increased practical and social skills
Expedition - Get outdoors and plan, train for and complete an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
Residential - Only at Gold level. Getting to the Gold level is a big deal and this last stage could see you going to another country, sharing tasks and activities with people you've never met. It'll test your mettle, and set you up for what life throws at you in the future.
For more information visit www.dofe.org
