The History of the Air Training Corps

The Air Cadet Movement within the UK started in the form of an organisation called the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) and was formed by Air Commodore Chamier "The Father of the Air Cadet Movement".

The ATC was formed from the ADCC on the 5 February 1941. King George VI kindly agreed to be Air Commodore-in-Chief of the ATC, and issued a Royal Warrant setting out the Corps' aims.

The ATC was initially formed to provide training that would provide a basis for entry into the Royal Air Force (RAF). The training that the organisation provided was designed to prepare each cadet for the academic and physical training that they would undergo within the RAF.

The ATC and the ADCC were both used as pre-entry training organisations for the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy). Cadets nowadays have no such commitment to join the Armed Forces, however, the training they receive through the ATC is invaluable should a cadet wish to pursue a career within the Royal Air Force, the other armed services, or alternatively a career within civilian life.

The ATC Crest

The training ethos of the Air Training Corps is based upon the Aims of the Corps as set out in the Royal Warrant as amended in 1967 and the Corps Motto as displayed at the bottom of the ATC Crest.

The three aims of the Air Training Corps are as follows:

(1) To promote and encourage amongst young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.

(2) To provide training which will be useful both in the Services and in civilian life.

(3) To foster the spirit of adventure, and to develop the qualities of leadership and good citizenship.

The motto of the ATC is "Venture Adventure".

One question that may asked is: " How does the ATC meet these aims through its training syllabus?"

A suitable answer may be as follows:

Aim (1)

The ATC provides flying, gliding, microlight, hang-gliding training in the form of:

Air Experience Flying (AEF) in light aircraft, opportunity flights in a variety of military and civilian aircraft

A structured gliding training syllabus that allows capable young people the opportunity to fly solo in a dual or single control glider subject to completion of the relevant glider training.

Courses in Hang-gliding, and Microlight flying.

Furthermore the ATC arranges visits to air museums, air shows and has an Aircraft Recognition Syllabus in place.

The ATC provides a unique insight into RAF life through visits to operational RAF bases at home and abroad.

Aims (2) and (3)

The ATC is the largest operating authority of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (DOEAS) . Through this scheme young people are awarded for meeting the intellectual and physical challenges set by the three levels of the Award Scheme.

Through the DOEAS, the cadet classification training syllabus, the adventure training activities provided by the corps, the numerous opportunities for sports participation, adventurous activities, and leadership training through courses such as the Junior Leaders Course, young people have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and qualities such as:

• The Principles of Leadership.

• How to Work as part of a team, and as an Individual.

• Self-Discipline and a high degree of self-motivation.

• How to treat people as individuals regardless of race, religion, sex, or any disabilities that they may have.

• How to work well under pressure, to complete a task within the constraints of the situation.

Examples of activities and leadership tasks can be found through the navigation bar to the left of the screen.