Part of the Air Cadet Organization (ACO) which also includes RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), the Air Training Corps is a voluntary military youth organization supported and sponsored by the Royal Air Force.

With almost 41,000 members, aged from 13 to 20 years, within over 1,000 local units organised into Squadrons, the ATC is one of the country’s premier youth organizations and the world’s largest youth air training organization. The Cadets are supported by over 10,000 volunteer Staff and nearly 5,000 Civilian Committee members.

The aims of the Air Training Corps are:

• To promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.
• To provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian life.
• To foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship

The motto of the ATC is ‘Venture Adventure’.

The Air Training Corps is the largest operator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (DEA). Air Cadets are provided with the opportunity of flying in RAF operational and training aircraft as well as gliding with the worlds largest fleet of gliders. Many cadets progress onto achieve Flying and Gliding bursaries and scholarships with some progressing onto gain their Private Pilots License (PPL).

The Air Training Corps provides activities and opportunities to cadets and staff helping them to develop both mentally and physically. Activities include; flying and gliding, dress, drill and discipline, annual camps, fieldcraft, adventure training, hillwalking, rock climbing and sports. The Corps also develops core skills such as leadership, communication and planning. To see some of the activities that 295 Sqn take part in please go to our activities page.

The Corps, which has charitable status, is not a recruiting organization but many members do go on to have careers in the Royal Air Force, other Services or civilian life. Currently approximately 34% of all aircrew (pilots, navigators and NCO aircrew) and 20% of Officers are ex-Cadets.