Royal Canadian Air Cadet Training

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAirC) is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces (CF) and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL). Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence (DND) with the civilian partner providing support in the local community. This article deals with the winter and summer training programs in detail; for more information on other aspects of the program, please see the main Royal Canadian Air Cadets article.

Contents 1 Local training 2 Ranks 3 Summer training 3.1 Summer training centres (CSTCs) 4 Flying 5 Honourary appointments 6 Symbols 6.1 Flags 6.2 Badge 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Local training

Each squadron trains one night per week — a "parade night" — covering the local training program. These activities are prescribed by the national Director of Cadets and outlined in course training plans distributed to each squadron. During the first four years in the cadet program, a cadets attends classes covering a range of topics including citizenship, leadership, instructional techniques, and a large number of aviation topics.^[1] In the fifth and subsequent years, cadets will generally be assigned to instruct these classes to the younger cadets. This weekly training begins in September and continues until June, and is offered in about 450 air cadet squadrons located in every province and territory in Canada.

[edit] Ranks

A new person joining the Air Cadet program holds the rank of "Air Cadet" (AC). Appointment to higher ranks occurs after the cadet has met certain nationally prescribed standards and possibly additional standards prescribed by the local squadron.^[2]

Responsibilities are given to cadets upon reaching corporal, the first NCO rank, generally as assistants to a more senior cadet - often as second-in-command of a flight. Sergeants are responsible for most of the day-to-day activities of the squadron. Flight Sergeants supervise the Sergeants, or use them as assistants. Ideally, each flight will be run by a Flight Sergeant, although, in reality, Sergeants often take this role. Warrant Officers handle administrative tasks in close conjunction with the officer staff of the squadron, assisting with administration, logistical, leadership, and training work, though, in smaller squadrons, these roles will often be filled by more junior cadets.

As a note, the official phrasing for those ranks not intrinsically containing "Cadet" uses the word as a preface, thus, as an example, Cadet Corporal. However, outside of Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATO), and Queen's Regulations and Orders (Cadets) (QR&O(Cdt)), custom omits "Cadet" in casual reference ^[3]. Thus, Corporal is the customary rendering. Generally, where there is a need to distinguish between cadets and Canadian Forces members, ranks will be written or spoken as Cadet Corporal and abbreviated as C/Cpl.

Additionally, while it is customary within the organization to refer to a cadet receiving a rank as being "promoted," the official documentation refers to such an act as an "appointment."

Ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets - Junior Cadets

Air Cadet - Cadet de l’Air Deuxième Classe	Leading Air Cadet - Cadet de l’Air Première Classe	Cadet Corporal - Caporal
Rank of AC (Cdt 2 in French) granted on joining; No prerequisites for this rank, except a minimum age of 12 years; Air Cadets wear no rank.	For promotion to LAC (Cdt 1), a cadet must: Worn on the upper arms actively participate in Level 1 training for a period of 5 months.	For promotion to C/Cpl (Cpl), a cadet must: Worn on the upper arms hold the rank of LAC; and successfully complete Level 1 of the LHQ training programme.

Ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets - Non-Commissioned Officers

Sergeant - Sergent	Flight Sergeant - Sergent de Section
For promotion to Sgt (Sgt), a cadet must: Worn on the upper arms complete at least six months satisfactory service at the substantive rank of Cpl; successfully complete Level 2 training; and preferably have successfully completed a Familiarization Summer Course.	For promotion to FSgt (SgtS), a cadet must: Worn on the upper arms completed at least six months satisfactory service at the substantive rank of Sgt; successfully complete proficiency level 3 of the LHQ training programme; and preferably have successfully completed an Introductory Speciality Summer Course.

Ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets - Warrant Officers

Warrant Officer Second Class - Adjudant Deuxième Classe

Warrant Officer First Class - Adjudant Première Classe

For promotion to WO2 (Adj 2), a cadet must: Worn on the lower arms have held the rank of FSgt for at least 6 months; maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment; preferably have successfully completed an Advanced Speciality Summer Course; successfully complete level 4 of the LHQ training programme; and there must be a vacancy on the squadron WO2 establishment.

For appointment to WO1 (Adj 1), a cadet must: Worn on the lower arms have held the rank of WO2 for at least 6 months; maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment; preferably have successfully completed an Advanced Speciality Summer Course; successfully complete level 5 (OJT) of the LHQ training programme; and there must be a vacancy on the squadron C/WO1 establishment - one per squadron.

[edit] Summer training

Over 10,000 Air Cadets take part in summer training, delivered at summer training centres across the country. The courses offered are divided into familiarization, introductory specialty, and advanced speciality courses.

Introductory Courses

Basic Air Cadet
A 2 week course The Basic Air Cadet qualification badge

Familiarization Courses

Cadet Musician - Basic	Pipes and Drums - Basic
The Cadet Musician qualification badge A 3 week course	The Cadet Musician qualification badge A 3 week course

Introductory Specialty Courses

Introduction to Leadership	Introduction to Survival Training	Introduction to Aviation
A 3 week course The Introduction to Leadership qualification badge	A 2 week course The Introduction to Survival Training qualification badge	A 3 week course The Introduction to Aviation qualification badge

Introduction to Physical Education and Recreational Training	Introduction to Aerospace	Cadet Musician
A 3 week course The Physical Education and Recreational Training qualification badge	A 3 week course The Introduction to Aerospace qualification badge	A 6 week course The Cadet Musician qualification badge

Advanced Specialty Courses

Senior Leadership Course	Flying Scholarship Course	Gliding Scholarship Course
A 6 week course The Senior Leadership course qualification badge	A 7 week course Air Cadet Power Wings Each year, 250 air cadets earn their Transport Canada Private Pilot Licence through the Air Cadet Flying Scholarship program. This scholarship is available to cadets aged 17 and 18. Cadets are selected for this scholarhip based on their cadet performance, academic performance, a written examination, a letter of interest, and an interview.	A 6 week course Air Cadet Glider Wings The Gliding Scholarship course qualification badge In Canada, the majority of glider pilots licenses are earned by Royal Canadian Air Cadets [4]. Cadets must be 16 to hold a Glider Pilot Licence. If a glider-licensed cadet later earns their power pilot license, they wear only the power wings. The glider qualification is represented by the octagon badge, worn on the tunic sleeve. [5]

Survival Instructor Course	Athletic Instructor Course	Air Traffic Control Course
A 6 week course The Survival Instructor qualification badge	A 6 week course The Athletic Instructor qualification badge	A 6 week course

Technical Training Course	Introduction to Rifle Coaching	Introduction to Instruction Course
A 6 week course The Technical Training qualification badge	A 3 week course The Introduction to Rifle Coaching qualification badge	A 3 week course The Introduction to Instruction qualification badge

Service Band	International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)
A 6 week course The Service Band badge	A 3 week course The IACE badge

• Advanced Aviation Technology - Airport Operations Course (courses commencing summer 2007)^{[citation needed]}
• Oshkosh Trip
• Pipes and Drums 1 to 5 course
• Staff Cadet Employment

[edit] Summer training centres (CSTCs)

• Albert Head ACSTC, British Columbia: Albert Head Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Bagotville, Quebec: Bagotville Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Blackdown, Ontario: Blackdown Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Cold Lake, Alberta: Cold Lake Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Connaught, Ontario: Connaight Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Greenwood, Nova Scotia: Greenwood Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• SCSTC HMCS Acadia, Nova Scotia: HMCS Acadia Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• SCSTC HMCS Ontario, Ontario: HMCS Ontario Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• SCSTC HMCS Quadra, British Columbia: HMCS Quadra Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• SCSTC HMCS Québec, Québec: [1] NCSM Québec Cadet Summer Training Centre Website (Available only in French)
• Penhold ACSTC, Alberta: Penhold Air Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Trenton, Ontario: Trenton Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Valcartier, Quebec: Valcartier Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• CSTC Whitehorse, Yukon: Whitehorse Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
• Eastern Region Cadet Music School, Quebec: Eastern Region Cadet Music School Website;
• Regional Gliding School (Atlantic), Nova Scotia: Regional Gliding School (Atlantic) Website;
• Regional Gliding School (Central), Ontario: Regional Gliding School (Central) Website;
• Regional Gliding School (Eastern), Quebec: Regional Gliding School (Eastern) Website;
• Regional Gliding School (Pacific), British Columbia: Regional Gliding School (Pacific) Website;
• Regional Gliding School (Prairie), Manitoba: Regional Gliding School (Prairie) Website;
• International Air Cadet Exchange: International Air Cadet Exchange Website;
• CSTC Penhold, Alberta

[edit] Flying

Each year, 22,000 junior air cadets participate in familiarization gliding flights during the spring and fall. In summer, 320 senior cadets earn their Transport Canada Glider Pilot Licence through the Air Cadet Gliding Scholarship. An average of 55,000 glider flights are done every year. Gliding familiarization – better known as glider fam flights - occurs at over 50 locations across Canada. Flights take place on weekends from March to June and from September to December. In addition to flying, junior air cadets become part of the glider ground crew. Cadets learn how to position the gliders for take-off and help retrieve them after they land. The cadets also learn signal operations, and help with the set-up and take-down of the airfield. All Air Cadets are given the chance to go up in a glider. The Schweizer SGS 2-33 is the glider used in the Air Cadet Gliding Program.

Familiarization flights are a learning experience. Before getting in the glider, a member of the crew will give cadets a pre-flight briefing. They will explain how a preflight inspection is done and what all the instruments in the glider are for. During the flight, the pilot will show cadets how the controls of the aircraft work and what an aerodrome circuit is.

[edit] Honourary appointments

Since 1983, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a member of Canada's Royal Family, is the Honourary Air Commodore of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

[edit] Symbols

[edit] Flags

Royal Canadian Air Cadet Banner

Royal Canadian Air Cadet Ensign

Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Banner

The RCAC Banner is flown only on important ceremonial occasions to indicate the presence of a formed body of cadets, and, at the end of useful life, is deposited, after the manner of colours, in some suitable location. The Banner was presented in 1991 at the Senior leadership School at CFB Cold Lake.

The RCAC Ensign is flown at the Squadron, often as part of a flag party, and is always flown from a mast or pole at RCAC summer training centres.

The Squadron Banner is flown by specific squadrons as their unit identifier; the squadron's name and number are embroidered in place of "Squadron Banner" and "000."

In some squadrons, the Ensign and Squadron Banner are carried by a flag party with the Canadian flag (see image in the Local training section above), despite Canadian Forces custom being for one- or two-flag parties only.

[edit] Badge

The emblem (seen at the head of the page) consists of a circle surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves, superimposed with a flying eagle, the head to the sinister. The whole is ensigned by the Royal crown proper - fashioned as a St. Edward's Crown - to symbolise the Canadian Monarch as the Cadets' source of authority. All of the above rests on a scroll depicting the words "Royal Canadian Air Cadets/Cadets de l'aviation royale du Canada". It is worn as a brass badge on the wedge cap and other formal headdress, or as an embroidered patch on the all-weather jacket.

[edit] See also

• Royal Canadian Air Cadets
• List of Air Cadet Squadrons in Canada
• Department of National Defence (Canada)
• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
• Albert Head
• Cadets Canada

	Canadian Cadet Organization
Cadet Instructors Cadre
Royal Canadian Sea Cadets | Royal Canadian Army Cadets | Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Navy League | Army Cadet League | Air Cadet League

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Canadian Cadet Organization
• Air Cadet League of Canada