432 (Woodbridge) Air Training Corps

 

Activities

This area is dedicated for advice and information on different activities which cadets participate in.

For Specfic Site activities please follow these initial links.
First Aid / Shooting / Camps / Exercises / Sports / Wing / Flying and Gliding

ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN THE AIR TRAINING CORPS

There are numerous activities that are available to members of the Air Training Corps. 432 (Woodbridge) Squadron is committed to providing as many of these opportunities to its Air Cadets as possible. As many Cadets will tell you, the more you put into your service, the more you will get out of it...

|  NCO Training   |  Examinations   |  National Record of Achievement   |  National Vocational Qualifications   |  Air Experience Flying   |  Air Experience Gliding   |  Gliding Training   |  Overseas Flight Scheme   |  RAF Flying Scholarship   |  Rifle Training   |  Shooting Competitions   |  Marksmanship   |  Annual Camp   |  International Air Cadet Exchange   |  Adventure Training   |  Sports   |  Swimming   |  JUNIOR LEADERS   |  Aircraft Recognition   |  Communications   |  Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme   |  Personal Awareness   |  Leadership Courses   |  Drill   |

NCO Training
An NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) is an Air Cadet who has shown that they are responsible, trust-worthy and diligent in their personal conduct and has shown they are aware and respectful for the welfare of others. These are courses run for Junior and Senior NCO's to develop their skills as reliable leaders. The subjects covered include the roles and responsibilities of an NCO, the welfare of themselves and others, discipline and it's use and drill instruction. Training is continuous whilst at your Squadron and you will be guided by fellow cadet NCO's and your Adult Warrant Officer. Familiarisation with Squadron planning and organisation is a key area to be explored.

Examinations
Examinations are held at the Squadron at the end of each stage of training. Before sitting the exam you will be thoroughly instructed on the subject by the Squadron Staff. Completion of each stage of training will increase your classification. First Class, Leading and Senior Cadets will be awarded a badge of classification. To complete your Staff cadet classification you will need to have passed all relevant exams and take an oral exam with an Officer from the Wing Staff. Having taken the oral examination Staff cadets wear a yellow lanyard. See the Training Syllabus in our 'TRAINING' section.

National Record of Achievement
As with many achievements, your service and accomplishments in the Air Training Corps can be presented in your National Record of Achievement folder. The Squadron has special inserts for the folder showing your unique service to the ATC.

National Vocational Qualifications
For those who are following a programme of NVQ related training you may find that some service in the ATC may count towards your assessment. For example, areas such as; Training & Development, Sport & Recreation and Supervisory Management.

Air Experience Flying
Flying is open to all enrolled cadets over the age of 13¼ with consent to fly. Flying is carried out at an Air Experience Flight (AEF) or University Air Squadron (UAS). Both units are part of the RAF and flying is carried out under the supervision of an RAF Pilot.

Air Experience Gliding
Gliding is carried out at Volunteer Gliding Schools across the country. This will probably be your first chance at gliding. Gliding is a very involved activity and one which will keep you busy all day. Expect to get involved in preparing the gliding craft, launching and recovery of the craft and stowing it safely away.

Gliding Training
If you have a passion for gliding there's no reason you cannot take it further. With aptitude and enthusiasm you may go on to training which will see you flying a glider solo or even becoming a qualified glider pilot. For completion of each stage of gliding training you will received your gliding 'wings'.

Overseas Flight Scheme
This scheme might find you traveling to an overseas RAF Base as a passenger or member of crew on an RAF transport aircraft!

RAF Flying Scholarship
As a member of the ATC you can apply for this scholarship if you are in full-time education. This 20-hour flight training in a light aircraft will benefit those interested in flying as a career or those wishing to aim for their Private Pilots Licence. 'Wings' will be awarded on completion.

Rifle Training
Training in the use of rifles will be given to all cadets. Visits to ranges occur throughout the year to provide the opportunity of continuous familiarisation with the rifles and the practices related to their safe use.

Shooting Competitions
Throughout the year the Region, Wing or Squadron may organise competitions for cadets to participate in.

Marksmanship
The ATC Marksmanship and RAF Marksmanship badges (shown below) are highly sought after by cadets and exemplify their shooting prowess!

Annual Camp
During Summer, and often at Easter too, there will be opportunities for every Squadron to go on annual camp to an RAF Station in the UK. The camp, a week in duration, will provide insight into life on an RAF Station, visits to RAF units, air experience flying or gliding, opportunities to gain awards such as marksmanship badges or swimming proficiencies and visits to areas of local interest. There are opportunities to go on Overseas Annual Camp to an RAF Station abroad.

International Air Cadet Exchange
This scheme is designed to link the aviation minded youth organisations of the world. If chosen cadets can expect a 15 day exchange, usually in July. Whilst the visits have aviation as their theme, there are opportunities to discover the culture in an adventurous and entertaining programme set out by the hosts.

Adventure Training
Adventure training takes many forms and can be organised at the Squadron in the form of outdoor exercises to weekend camps. Wings and Regions may also organise adventure training at the Air Cadet Adventure Training Centres at Windermere or Llanbedr. The training centres specialise in canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing, outdoor survival, orienteering and swimming, amonst others. Adventure exercises can test the ability of cadets in First Aid, Map Reading, Field Craft and importantly - initiative.

Sports
Sports are encouraged throughout the Corps and a wide variety of team sports and athletics are catered for. As well as sports matches, athletics days and fitness programmes there is the chance to represent your Squadron, Wing or your Region in your sporting field! At your Squadron you can expect to take part in inter-Flight games and fulfill sections of your Duke Of Edinburgh's Award.

Swimming
Competitive swimming events are organised in addition to sports events. While opportunities are made for competitive swimming the opportunity also exists to complete Swimming Proficiencies and water survival techniques.

Junior Leaders Course
A new course within the Air Training Corps for the development of NCO's and Senior Cadets who are over the age of 17 is the Junior Leaders course. This course is designed to build confidence, self reliance and initiative and takes place over a number of weeks during the year. A diverse array of exercises are used in the field to demonstrate the qualities of leadership and responsibility. For more information on this please visit www.juniorleaders.org .

Aircraft Recognition
A lot of support is available for cadets to learn how to recognise Service and popular civil aircraft. More enthusiastic cadets can take part in competitions.

Communications
As well as learning about Radio, Radar and Satellite communications in the ATC training syllabus, there is the chance to practice common radio telephony techniques and how to use communication equipment, including short and long range radio.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Open to all young people between 14 & 25. The ATC is an Operating Authority within the Award Scheme. As such cadets make much use of the support provided at Squadron level to complete their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Of all the programmes, Service, Skill, Physical Recreation, Expeditions and the Residential Project, the Squadron can advise on appropriate activities within the Corps that will satisfy the requirements of the Scheme. On completion of an award the appropriate badge may be worn with your cadet uniform. Click here for a link to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme site.

Personal Awareness
Courses are held at Amport House and are designed to stretch the mind of the cadets rather than their physical ability. The course tries to instil being a citizen within a community, taking a lead and accepting responsibilty through a range of group discussions and team participation.

Leadership Courses
Held at Frimley Park and directed by inter-Service staff the aim of the 7 day course is to develop initiative and self-reliance. Cadets will experience the problems of practical leadership. A leadership course specific to the Air Cadets is run at RAF Stafford and is designed to develop NCO's and potential NCO's into better leaders, train drill at a higher level and to be able to effect training methods upon others.

Drill & Ceremonial
At all stages of training drill will be an integral part of cadet service. Drill is not punishment! It is usually an enjoyable activity working in a team to show off the smartness of the Squadron. As cadets progress at drill techniques, they may find themselves responsible for delivering drill commands, or participating in parades or drill competitions.