INFORMATION ON THE AIR TRAINING CORPS AND HOW TO JOIN

LEARN TO FLY BEFORE YOU GET YOUR DRIVER'S LICENCE !

ARE YOU ? :

AGED 13-18 YEARS ?

MEDICALLY FIT?

HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE MILITARY OR FLYING?

ENJOY MEETING NEW FRIENDS?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, its possible the Air Training Corps is for you !

The Air Training Corps is an air-minded youth organisation aimed at developing Australia's youth and encouraging an interest in aviation and the Air Force. Cadets meet one night a week, where they learn about a wide range of subjects, including Aviation, Field Craft, Survival, Drill & Ceremonial and Weapons Training.

Here are a list of subjects available through the AIRTC:

* Service Knowledge

* Drill & Ceremonial

* Aircraft Recognition

* Aviation

* Field Craft

* Survival

* Radiocommunications

* Weapons Training

* First Aid

and much much more

The objectives of the Air Training Corps are:

a. To give cadets a foundation of Air Force knowledge and discipline.

b. To develop qualities of leadership and self-reliance.

c. To develop character and good citizenship in the widest possible sense.

d. To develop an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force and aviation generally.

e. To instill a knowledge of the history of aviation.

f. To encourage cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life.

So you're interested in joining? But you want to know how much all this will cost you?

At 13 Flight Penfield the joining fee is $120, of which $60 is refunded upon your discharge. 13 Flight has an extensive Parents & Friends Committee which raise money and assist funding for AIRTC activities. The RAAF also assists the AIRTC in providing meals, uniforms and transport. All these factors keep camp fees to a minimum. Upon joining 13 FLT, a fee of $20 per term applies, for four terms in a year. That is $80 per year, this is used to cover costs for camps and flight facilities.

At 13 FLT we come together on a Tuesday night, from 1830 hrs to 2130 hrs and the flight is also open to cadets on a Saturday afternoon from 1300 hrs to 1600 hrs. Pop in during these times and there will be someone to help you, or phone the flight during those hours on (08) 8259 5571 .

13 FLT is located at the corner of First and West Avenue's , Penfield, a short drive down the RAAF Base Edinburgh road. It's close proximity to the RAAF Base provides it with an added advantage over other flights in the state.

The AIRTC is a disciplined, military environment and chances for promotion are always arising. Upon joining you will become a Recruit (RCT), and you will commence your Basic training. During this time you will wear CWD or "jungle "greens" uniform. After approximately 6 months, you will graduate and become a Cadet (CDT), whereby you will wear the Air Force "blues" uniform. At this time Basic training continues and after approximately 12 months you will be eligible for reclassification to Leading Cadet (LCDT). Promotion after Leading Cadet is competitive and Promotional Courses are introduced.

Promotion to Cadet Corporal (CDTCPL) is dependant on the successful completion of the Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (JNCO) Course. This is approximately a 2 week course held on a RAAF Base during school holidays. LCDT's must have shown a competent level of leadership skills to gain promotion to CDTCPL. LCDT's must also have held the rank of LCDT for a period of 6 months.

Promotion to Cadet Sergeant (CDTSGT) is dependant on the successful completion of the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Course. For promotion to CDTSGT a CDTCPL must have held the rank of CDTCPL for a minimum of 12 months .

Promotion to Cadet Flight Sergeant (CDTFSGT) does not involve a promotion course, but can be attained after a minimum of 6 months service as a CDTSGT.

Promotion to Cadet Warrant Officer (CDTWOFF) is dependant on successful completion of a CDTWOFF's course held on a RAAF Base. For promotion to CDTWOFF a CDTSGT or CDTFSGT must have served a minimum of 6 months in that position. CDTSGT's must have planned, executed and managed at least a 2 day bivouac for their flight for promotion to CDTWOFF.

Promotion to Cadet Under Officer (CUO) is dependant on the successful completion of the CUO's course held on a RAAF Base. CDTSGT's or CDTWOFF's must have served a minimum of 6 months in those positions for promotion. Promotion to CUO also involves the planning, execution and managing of a 2 day bivouac for the whole flight.

Currently at 13 Flight we have 2 CDTFSGT's, 4 CDTSGT's and 4 CDTCPL's. We are in a rebuilding stage and therefore cadets showing good leadership skills will have many opportunities at leadership positions with experience.

So what sort of camps and bivouacs are available in 13 Flight you ask? Well here they are:

Within 13 Flight, there is an annual Flying Bivouac held, run by the illustrious CDTFSGT Tim "Ferret" Ferrell in which cadets can experience a number of aviation related flights, all for money of course, but highly subsidised. Activities include parachuting, gliding, powered flying, aerobatic flying and aviation theory. For more information on this camp read the 13 Flight Newsletter .

13 Flight holds regular field bivouacs in the Mount Crawford forests, where field craft and survival skills can be put into practice including navigation, field craft, first aid, radiocommunications, etc. Cadets can choose if they wish to attend field bivouacs or flying bivouacs, it all depends on what interests you!

Each year 13 Flight holds an annual Dining-In night. This is a highly formal dinner occassion where the cadets attend and bring partners for a night of dining and entertainment. This is traditionally held at the end of the year and is an excellent occassion.

Coming up in a few months is the 13 Flight Trophy Day Parade, a full Drill & Ceremonial Parade involving all cadets. Distinguished guests are present along with family and friends of cadets to see cadets receive trophy's and awards for special achievements and service to the flight and squadron.

Perhaps you're interested in getting your pilot's licence, or jumping out of a plane with a parachute like 2 of our cadets are (CDTFSGT Tim "Ferret" Ferrell, and CDTCPL Mark "Floppy" Starick). Well SA SQN undertakes courses in powered flying, gliding, and parachuting all at highly reduced costs. The Squadron has its own Motor Falke glider available for cadet use.

As you can see the HUGE range of cadet activities available are too diverse to name all at once, the only way to find out all about this is to run along to a Flight (13 Flight would be a great start) and see how things run one night, and if you're interested you are more than welcome to join! For any more information, don't hesitate to give the flight an e-mail at watts@adel.sanet.com.au or ring (08) 8259 5571 on Tuesday nights.