can anyone give some info on the air cadets please

[machineman9]

i am thinking about joining the Air Cadets (NW England) but i need some info on it before i take it any further... so if you can help, or share your views and thoughts on it then please do.

when does it take place? is is a full time thing or does it happen at weekends or what? (you can tell ive never done anything like it before, but i have GCSEs so i need to know)

what sorts of things can i be expected to do/learn? (the aged 13+ group, i am 14)

will it help me to become a civil pilot later on?

what did you think of it when you went (if you did go)?


i hope this is in the right place, and please do answer as i wanna join but only if it doesnt get in the way of my GCSEs


cheers

[expat]

You get a nice blue suit and black shoes, and a silly French looking hat

Joking aside, just go along for a few weeks and see. They would be more that pleased to have you. That would be the best way of finding out. It has probably changed a bit since my time (25 + years ago)

Matt

[Hagar]

Joking aside, just go along for a few weeks and see. They would be more that pleased to have you. That would be the best way of finding out.

Good advice. I doesn't suit everyone but I enjoyed it tremendously. Here's the website. http://www.aircadets.org/

It has probably changed a bit since my time (25 + years ago)

Probably. It's changed out of all recognition since my time. I joined the ATC over 50 years ago.

PS. They let girls in now.

[machineman9]

You get a nice blue suit and black shoes, and a silly French looking hat

aah yes, you cant forget the hat!

i was looking on that website for a bit earlier but i didnt find anything about the times unfortunately

[Hagar]

You need to find out which squadron is nearest to you. Most will have their own websites nowadays. http://www.aircadetsnorth.org/

[machineman9]

well, Staffordshire Wing 95 and 100 are the closest

as for squadron... umm, i havent a clue lol. lemme see

edit: probably squadron 55, 146 and maybe 202 are the closest. i dont know my geography very well (

[EGNX]

Find out what squadron is closest to you and give them a ring... if you can't find a tel. number but it tells you where, what times and days they parade then just pop in and ask for info... They'll probably give you a tour around the squadron building and a few papers to fill in and some info on what Air Cadets is all about... What they'll do then is give you a ring the next time they have an intake of new recruits and you'll start up as a probationer and basically spend the next few months learning on how to become a cadet... After about two months-ish you should have reached a standard high enough to take some (easy

[machineman9]

woah, thanks EGNX. lots of info. so what about the days that things happen on? it isnt a full time stay in camps thing is it? seeing as its for 13+ you cant just take kids out of school can you?

[EGNX]

woah, thanks EGNX. lots of info. so what about the days that things happen on? it isnt a full time stay in camps thing is it? seeing as its for 13+ you cant just take kids out of school can you?

Don't worry... parade nights are only usually twice a week lasting around 2-3 hours... mine are every Monday and Thursday 19:00 to 21:30... So you wont be having to leave home just yet!... However when you old enough and considering doing your A-levels there are places such as Welbeck (Just 2 miles down the road from me) that are 6th forum military colleges where you can go to learn and you stay there 24/7 most of the year... I would of gone but they don't cater for the pilots, only engineer-ey people...  ::)

What town or city do you live in...  that will narrow it down to which squadrons your looking at...  ;)

[ozzy72]

Speaking as an ex-cadet the ATC is a fantastic organisation with a myriad of great opportunities

[spitfire boy]

I know a couple of guys in the ATC. Apparently, you at one point get a parent consent form, to do with what types of aircraft your parents will allow you to fly in. One of the yes/no selections is titled 'High performance jets'

It goes on to say; 'includes types such as the Tornado and Typhoon'

Have fun with that, machineman...

[expat]

It goes on to say; 'includes types such as the Tornado and Typhoon'

Have fun with that, machineman...

In reality, it is a pair of ear defenders and trip in a Herc. Tornado and Typhoon, that is for footballers and F1 drivers (though I did get a back seater in a Harrier T10 in the last few days of a previous life)

Matt

[JA 37 Viggen]

How close is the Air Cadets Program to the Civil Air Patrol?-Cadet Staff Sargeant.

[Tom...]

It goes on to say; 'includes types such as the Tornado and Typhoon'

Have fun with that, machineman...

In reality, it is a pair of ear defenders and trip in a Herc. Tornado and Typhoon, that is for footballers and F1 drivers (though I did get a back seater in a Harrier T10 in the last few days of a previous life)

Matt

Yes, with that said thats whats most likely to happen, but cadets have flown in Tornado's and Typhoons.

[spitfire boy]

It goes on to say; 'includes types such as the Tornado and Typhoon'

Have fun with that, machineman...

In reality, it is a pair of ear defenders and trip in a Herc. Tornado and Typhoon, that is for footballers and F1 drivers (though I did get a back seater in a Harrier T10 in the last few days of a previous life)

Matt

Ok, then the guys I know are liars and exaggeraters. If you knew them you would agree with me. They're very irritating...

EDIT; this is a reminder for myself later on. My 200th post is this one. All you guys, ignore this. It's for me to read later on.