How old must my son or daughter be to join the ATC?
Is there a maximum age for ATC cadets?
Does the ATC accept both boys and girls?
On which nights does the Squadron meet?
Do you have to join the RAF if you want to join cadets?
Do I have to be able to play an instrument to join 114 Squadron Band?
Can I gain any qualifications by joining the ATC?
What is 114 (Ruislip & Northwood) Squadron?
What can be achieved in the Air Cadets?
If you're between 13, or at age 12 when beginning school year 8 (England & Wales), and 17 years old you can join us. Typically cadets join aged 13-15.
Cadets now may stay until the age of 20, regardless of the rank they have acquired. Many transfer at age 20 from being a senior cadet to becoming a civilian or even uniformed instructor. Adult members of the ATC, be they civilian or uniformed can start on their 20th birthday, consequently, things need not come to an end once the maximum cadet age of 20 is reached.
Yes, the Air Training Corps is open to both boys and girls. The skills learned are equally useful to both and certainly the smiles after the flying events are equally wide.
In short, no. The Air Training Corps is a seperate organisation from the RAF.
No, you will be taught by our team of NCOs who have been playing their instruments for many years.
This is your local squadron, and one of Middlesex Wing’s (groups of squadrons are called Wings) premier squadrons. We are based on the Ickenham Road in Ruislip opposite the Conservative Club and have some of the best facilities in the area. We meet on Monday and Thursday for normal parade nights, from 7pm – 10pm.
The ATC is a national youth organisation parented by the Royal Air Force. It is a uniformed organisation formed in 1942 to help recruit and train young men for active service in the RAF. The organisation is no longer a recruiting service for the RAF or any of the Armed Forces. It exists only to provide young people aged 13 (12 if in Year 8) – 20 with the opportunity to learn about aviation, and related subjects, whilst providing many other opportunities within the ATC.
Achievement through the cadets can be as much as you want it to be; there are courses in leadership skills, Nordic skiing in Bavaria and parachuting. There is also the opportunity to become involved with the International Air Cadet Exchange - which involves travelling across the world to meet with other cadets.
Through the ATC, cadets earn a BTEC qualification in Aviation Studies, which is the equivalent to 2 GCSE’s. BTEC qualifications are also available in Public Services and Music. Skills gained with the ATC can be applied to general life and can be used to enhance a CV when applying for work.
All activities that are undertaken by the ATC have fully qualified instructors to lead the cadets, with appropriate ratios of adults to young people. All staff at the squadron, whether Officer, Warrant Officer or Civilian Instructor, and cadets over the age of eighteen; are fully vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau. All cadets are fully insured for each activity in which they participate as members of the ATC, whether this is a parade night at 114 Ruislip & Northwood Sqn, or Nordic Skiing in Bavaria, Germany.
Please join us for an induction evening; there is no commitment to join. During the evening you will have the opportunity to watch a video about the Corps, look around our squadron headquarters, speak to current cadets and ask questions.
Although the ATC is primarily funded by the RAF, each squadron makes a financial contribution to the central fund. To meet this commitment, we charge a £10 subscription which is paid by standing order on the fifth day of each month. Junior cadets are asked to start paying subscriptions after their first month of attendance.
When a cadet leaves the squadron it is be the responsibility of the parent/ guardian to cancel the standing order. Any subscriptions paid after a cadet has left will be considered by the squadron to be a donation.