The Air Cadet Organisation Web Site

CCF(RAF) TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Standby to Broaden Your Horizons – it’s all here! There are so many activities that offer challenge, excitement and adventure – so make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Here are some of the many activities that membership of the CCF can offer you – you will in some cases need to follow the links to find more detail but the list will hopefully inspire you to greater things!

CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES

During your time with the RAF Section at your school you may to attend annual camp at a Royal Air Force station. At camp a full range of exciting activities will be offered and you will normally camp with at least one other school, so camps also give you the opportunity to meet new friends.

UK EASTER CAMP

These are held at RAF stations throughout the UK for one week during the Easter holidays. You must have passed Part 1 of the Syllabus of Training and be at least 13.3 years of age. Accommodation is normally in barrack blocks.

UK SUMMER CAMP

These are held at RAF stations throughout the UK for one week and may be under canvas! Again you must have passed Part 1 of the syllabus and be at least 13.3 years old.

OVERSEAS CAMPS

Cyprus

Based at RAF Akrotiri, this could be the camp of a lifetime. Lasting 10 days, you will not only enjoy the fantastic weather but may also be there when the Red Arrows RAF Aerobatic Team is in Cyprus for their pre-season training. As well as normal military cadet activities you will have the opportunity to swim and sail, enjoy the stunning scenery and visit Roman sites including the extraordinary amphitheatres at Curium. You must have passed your Part 2 examination and be at least 16 years of age.

Germany

Based at RAF Rheindalen or Ramstein, you will have ample opportunity to carry out military cadet activities as well as take part in cultural visits to Koln or Frankfurt and visit a cemetery from the First and Second World Wars. You may fly in helicopters belonging to the Army and you are assured of an exciting and rewarding time.

ADVENTUROUS TRAINING

Adventurous Training within the CCF is normally controlled by the Army Brigade responsible for your school. However, the Air Cadet Organization controls two Air Cadet Adventurous Training Centres, at Windermere in Cumbria and Llanbedr in Wales , which can be used by CCF units. About 40% of your training in the RAF Section will involve some adventurous training activity.

Windermere

What could be more fantastic than spending a week in the Lake District amongst stunning scenery? Activities include rock climbing, abseiling, high-level hill walking, mountain-biking, canoeing, high rope work and sailing all under supervision with qualified instructors. Please note, cadets participating in water-based activities must have passed the Basic Swimming Competence Test.

Accommodation is in single sex dormitories with well maintained facilities. There is a fully equipped kitchen for your unit to cook meals. The centre is self contained in a residential area.

Llanbedr

Well, actually the mountains of Wales are pretty fantastic as well! Activities offered are the same as for Windermere. Again accommodation is single sex dormitories, the showers are excellent and so is the kitchen! Llanbedr is on the coast in its own complex.

School Arranged

There is nothing to stop you from persuading your section officers to take you somewhere even more exotic. Through the Army Brigade that looks after your school CCF, your officers can arrange to participate in overseas adventurous training.

COURSES

FLYING

Air Experience Flights

Experience the thrill of powered flight, flying with a fully qualified pilot. You will not only have the opportunity to learn about the flying controls but will experience aerobatics and low level flying.

Air Cadet Pilot Scheme

The aim of the ACPS is to provide a pinnacle of flying experience for selected cadets. The scheme offers three types of flying: the Air Cadet Light Aircraft Course comprising 12 hours flying to solo at civilian flying schools; The Air Cadet Microlight Course will give you 10 hours of flying at an RAF Microlight Club to solo standard; or, a course at an Air Experience Flight which although not offering solo flight will expose you to applied Service flying including advanced handling and low flying skills. You must be 16 years old to apply, hold, or be predicted to pass, GCSE Grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics or the equivalent in SCE. Ideally you should also have successfully completed a Gliding Scholarship although in exceptional circumstances this requirement can be waived.

ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF YOUR COURSE YOU WILL BE AWARDED YOUR CADET PILOT WINGS

If you do exceptionally well on this course you may be recommended for further training which could lead to the award of your Private Pilot’s Licence and possibly the award of the John Cunningham Bust for the Best Cadet Pilot of the year.

Air Cadet Pilot Navigation Training Scheme

The ACPNTS provides a two-week Pilot Navigation Course to selected cadets. You will fly for up to eight hours at an Air Experience Flight and be introduced to the skills of low level navigation. An absolutely fantastic experience leading to the award of your ‘Wings’ on successful completion of the course. If you would like to apply you must hold the same qualifications as for the ACPS but in addition you must have passed the Advanced Certificate “Air Navigation” examination.

GLIDING

COME and SOAR TO SUCCESS!! There are fantastic opportunities to glide while you are in the CCF with the ultimate goal of being able to fly solo in either a Viking or Vigilant glider. Gliding training is a 3-stage affair:

Gliding Induction Course (GIC)

The aim of the GIC is to put into practice the classroom ‘Theory of Flight’ lessons you have learnt and introduces you to the pleasures of gliding. You must be 13.3 years old and have passed Tests 1-4 of the Part 1 Syllabus of Training.

Gliding Scholarship (GS)

Completion of the GIC is a desirable but not essential pre-requisite to your selection for this amazing opportunity. Your aim on the course will be to attain such a standard that you are cleared for solo flight – an experience you will never forget. On completion of the course you will be awarded either ‘Blue Wings’ or ‘Silver Wings’ depending on whether or not you fly solo. The minimum age to be considered for selection is 16 and you must have passed Part 2 of the Syllabus of Training.

Advanced Gliding Training (AGT)

The aim of the AGT is to provide opportunities for selected cadets each year to undertake training in advanced gliding techniques with the prime aim of progressing towards joining the RAF or becoming an instructor at a Volunteer Gliding Squadron. To progress to this stage of training you must have an excellent report from your GS AND be prepared to devote time to all activities at the VGS.

AIR CADET LEADERSHIP COURSE

A physically demanding but exceedingly rewarding course held at RAF Cranwell involving both CCF(RAF) cadets and cadets from the Air Training Corps. The course lasts for 7 days with the aim of developing and honing your leadership skills and normally will take place during the first 4 weeks of the summer holidays. You are not expected to be a Winston Churchill or Montgomery or even a Phil Vickery. The staff aim is to improve the skills that are inherent in everyone. Without a doubt you will be a more confident and responsible cadet by the end of the course and you will have learnt the full benefits of working in a team either as a leader or team member. To qualify for selection you must be at least 16 but not 18 by the time the course starts, you must have at least one year to serve within your CCF once the course has finished and you must be physically fit.

The course is not open to CWO and F/S. After course induction all cadets will be required to complete a 1½ mile run within a stipulated time. The Best Cadet for the Year will be awarded the Cubby Sword.

CADET LEADERSHIP COURSE – FRIMLEY PARK

Another physically demanding course but this time run by the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park . The aims of the course are broadly similar and once again it is physically demanding. Cadets are drawn from all cadet forces throughout the UK and there will be some overseas cadets attending. The criteria for selection are the same as for ACLC. The Best Light Blue Cadet (ATC/CCF) will be awarded the Kreigie Trophy.

SWIMMING PROFICIENCY

You may qualify for Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Swimming Competence Certificates. Full details of the tests are contained in ACP22 (see Links) and certificates can be awarded by your school CCF staff.

SYLLABUS OF TRAINING

As a cadet in the CCF you will progress through the Syllabus of Training. The physical activities are always fun and the academic work is interesting and leads to further opportunities such as flying, gliding, adventurous training, shooting etc. The syllabus takes you through Proficiency Part 1 and 2 and then on to Advanced. In order to qualify for promotion above the rank of Sergeant – Flight Sergeant and then on to Cadet Warrant Officer – you must have passed the Advanced stage of the syllabus. (See Links for full details of the syllabus).

Date Last Updated : Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:26 AM

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