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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are some questions which get asked more than others, from either prospective cadets, prospective staff or from parents - so we've grouped them together in that order.
Hopefully they will be able to answer any queries that you have, but if the information you are looking for isn't here, please phone the squadron on a parade night or just drop in for a chat. Our contact details are here.
Cadet Questions
How old must I be to join?
You must be 13 years old before you can join any ATC Squadron. Once enrolled you can stay until the age of 18, or 20 if you attain the rank of Sergeant, Flight Sergeant or Cadet Warrant Officer.
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How often do I get to fly?
Each cadet should get at least one 20 minute flight per year - sometimes this is more depending on availability.
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When are the next recruitment dates?
Please see our recruitment dates page.
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Will I be on my own when I join?
No you certainly will not! We operate an intake system where all new recruits start at the same time, with three intakes per year - one each in the winter, summer and autumn. This means that you always join with a group of around 10 or so like minded people.
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Will I be able to learn to shoot a weapon?
Yes, you will be given training on a basic small bore weapon first and then once you are proficient and the correct age you will be trained to shoot on a full bore weapon. All training is carried out by a trained adult staff member who is proficient in weapon handling. You will not be permitted to shoot until you have passed both the necessary training and certain proficiency tests in weapon handling and procedures.
Once trained and proficient in weapon handling you are then permitted to shoot on military ranges under qualified supervising staff for practice and competition target shooting.
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Are there many rules and regulations to follow?
During your time as a member of the Air Training Corps, you wear the uniform of the Royal Air Force, and are therefore bound by it's regulations regarding dress, and conduct. All of the rules that are necessary for you to be a cadet are explained to you.
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How often do I have to attend?
The squadron parades twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and you are encouraged to attend both nights on a regular basis. The more you attend the more you will get out of being a member of the ATC. Also, many activities and sports take place at the weekend.
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Are there any entrance examinations to take?
There are no entrance tests or exams, although throughout your time in the ATC there will be exams to take to gain advancement in cadet classifications.
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What if I don't like it after joining?
Obviously we will do all we can to make your time with the ATC as enjoyable as possible. However, joining the ATC is not like joining the RAF and you are not expected to stay for a specific length of time - so if you decide that it's not for you then you can leave whenever you want to.
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Will I have to join the RAF?
There is no compulsion to join any of the services. But if you do join the RAF, or any of the other services, your training will serve you in good stead. However, whatever career you choose the ATC will provide you with many skills that will be of benefit in all areas of your life.
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Will I have to wear a uniform?
Yes, all cadets wear the same uniform as a member of the RAF. You are issued with this free of charge after you join and you are required to look after it and return it to us when you leave the squadron. If you grow out of your uniform it will be exchanged free of charge.
All that you have to provide is your own footwear - either boots or shoes. We tell you what type to have when you join.
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Does it cost anything to join?
There is a subscription of £5 per month, and some activities require a separate payment, e.g. for a camp. In all cases costs are kept as low as possible. Flying and gliding are free!
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Do I have to participate in all the activities?
No, it's not essential to participate in all the activities but we will encourage you to at least have a try, and if it's not for you then you will be given the opportunity to take part in a different activity.
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Do you participate in sports?
The squadron runs general sporting activities on parade nights, occasionally competing against other squadrons. We always compete with all the squadrons at our Wing sporting events - see our sports page for more details. Depending on your ability you can compete in trials for a place on a Wing team, talented cadets may get the opportunity to represent the Region or the Corps itself.
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Will I be able to visit RAF stations?
Yes, periodically you will get the opportunity to visit RAF stations, either for a course or a camp. On a week long annual camp you will be given visits to different sections to gain a better understanding of the work that the station undertakes. What you see will depend on the operational nature of the station.
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Adults' Questions
I'm interested in helping out - what can I do?
There are a wide variety of things that you can do whether you have an existing skill or not. If you have a skill, interest or hobby that's applicable to the aims of the Air Training Corps, then we would love to hear from you. Alternatively you may be looking to acquire a new skill or interest - if so, the ATC can offer a variety of opportunities with all the necessary training that you may need - often to National Governing Body standards where this is applicable.
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Are you like the Territorial Army?
No, the RAF equivalent of the Territorial Army is the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Our officers are commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch [RAF VR(T)]
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I would like to help, but I can't give much time
Like most things in life, the more you put in, the more you get out! It's always worth discussing the amount of time you can give with the Commanding Officer of the Squadron - what you may think is too little may in fact be quite acceptable. If you wish to pursue becoming an RAFVR(T) officer or a Non-Commissioned Officer, then you must be able to commit to complete at least 12 hours of duty in any one calendar month. Alternatively there is no minimum time commitment for Civilian Instructors, or you may wish to support the squadron by joining the civilian committee who generally have a lower time commitment than squadron staff.
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I work shifts - does that prevent me from helping?
There are many squadron staff around the country who work shifts and yet are successful members of squadron staff. Provided that your work pattern can be predicted a short while in advance, the squadron Training Officer will try to ensure that the right opportunities and activities are programmed around your availability.
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Do I need any specific skills or qualifications to help?
No, there is no specific skill or qualification required. Enthusiasm and and a willingness to learn are the most important skills that anyone can bring, together with the ability to impart knowledge and relate to the needs of young people.
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Will I be subject to any security or police checks?
All staff are subject to a Criminal Records check to confirm that they are suitable to work with young people.
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Do I need to have served in any of the armed forces?
There is no requirement to have served in any of the armed forces and the vast majority of adult staff all come from a civilian background.
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Parents' Questions
How much will it cost to be a member of 1461 Squadron?
The cost of becoming a member of 1461 Squadron can be broken down into:
- Monthly Subscriptions - this is currently £5 per month which can be paid either monthly or yearly. We also offer the ability to pay by Direct Debit, and as a registered charity we offer a Gift Aid scheme which enables us to claim back the tax paid for those parents who are tax payers.
- Camps and activities - As you may imagine, the cost of activities varies depending on the activity, transport and any applicable subsidy we may receive from the ATC at a national level. A typical week at an RAF station or Adventure Training course will be around £45.00. Weekend training camps run by the squadron would typically cost £5-£15. In all cases we aim to keep the cost as low as practicable.
Note that flying and gliding are free. For genuine cases of hardship, we have a welfare fund to ensure that no one is excluded from essential activities.
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Is the uniform provided free of charge?
Yes - the uniform is issued free of charge and is identical to that worn by regular RAF personnel. All we ask that it is cared for and returned when a cadet leaves the Squadron. Items of uniform are exchanged free of charge when the cadet grows out of it.
You will be responsible for supplying shoes or boots to wear with the uniform. We advise on the correct type and style when a cadet joins the Squadron.
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I'm worried that it will interfere with school work?
There should be no interference with school work - but should there be a clash we believe that school work always comes first e.g. it is normal to grant extended leave of absence during the exam period for those that require it.
There are currently around 35,000 cadets in the UK, experiences gained as members of the ATC are often cited later in life as beneficial, including those that go on to University.
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When do you meet?
We meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 1930 Hrs to 2130 Hrs throughout the year. We only stand the Squadron down at Christmas and around some bank holidays.
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Will my son / daughter be safe?
Safety is a high priority for us, and we have an excellent track record. You can be assured that:
- Each activity we undertake has been approved by the Air Training Corps at a Wing, Regional or National level as appropriate
- The staff conducting the exercise or activity will hold a recognised qualification (or equivalent) and have conducted a risk assessment prior to the exercise or activity
- All staff have been cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau to work with young people
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Do I have to get involved?
There is no requirement for parents to get involved with the running of the Squadron. All we ask is that you support your child and the Squadron by taking an interest in the activities they undertake and attending occasional events at the Squadron, e.g. a parents evening.
From time to time we do not supply transport to and from activities and require parents to share the transportation of cadets. This is normally required for local activities to minimise cost.
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Are you a recruiting organisation for the RAF?
No, although this was the original aim of the ATC, it hasn't been so for a long time. Many cadets enjoy the experience of the Corps and take no further interest in the armed forces after they leave the Corps. Those cadets that join one of the armed forces normally find their time as a cadet as being highly beneficial, illustrated by the fact that 47% of all officer and 51% of all Air-Crew within the RAF are ex-Air Cadets.
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What if I don't wish for my son / daughter to take part in a particular activity?
Activities require your prior approval, either as a declaration when a cadet joins the squadron, or on an individual basis prior to each activity - at which point you have the option to decline participation.
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