Air Training Corps

If you`re aged between 13 and 21 and enjoy a challenge, the Air Training Corps in Wales may just be what you are looking for.

Part of the Air Cadet Organisation which also includes RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps is a voluntary youth organization supported by the Royal Air Force.

With almost 35,000 members, aged from 13 to 22 years, within over 1,000 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 a volunteer Staff of nearly 10,000 plus 5,000 Civilian Committee Members.

The Air Training Corps Motto is 'Venture Adventure' and the Aims 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 both in the Services and in civilian life.


  • To foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship.


    • Believe it or not, these objectives were laid down in 1938 and they are as valid today as ever they were.
    You will become a member of a real family. You will get a free RAF style uniform and undergo a progressive training programme which takes in first aid, map reading, aircraft engineering principles, communications, shooting and competitive sport.

    You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in the air, flying with


    		volunteer Royal Air Force pilots in some of the most modern aeroplanes in the world.

    Cadets are shown how the aircraft flies and given the chance every year to control the aeroplane, experience aerobatics or simply admire the view.

    By the time you 17, you could have a licence to pilot your own glider!


    The ACO has had the benefit of powered aircraft since 1957 with the introduction of venerable DeHavilland Chipmunk aeroplanes which were replaced by the Bulldog in 1996.


    The latest replacement - Grob Tutor - recently entered service, replacing the Bulldog.

    There are opportunities to fly in light aircraft and gliders as well as other RAF and civil aircraft with activities open to cadets ranging from aerobatics in the new Grob Tutor to practicing stalls in a Grob Viking glider.

    Some Cadets who stand out from the rest may also get the opportunity to fly on a civil airliner or go on an overseas flight in an RAF Tri-Star, VC10 or Hercules.

    A few cadets have also had the opportunity to fly in a variety of other aircraft including fast jets and the Red Arrows and there are scholarships available for both powered flight and gliding.

    		The Air Training Corps offers young people the chance to live and to experience things which others can only dream about.

    Life in the Air Training Corps is exciting, it is challenging and it is fun.

    So, if you want to become involved, why are you sitting there playing with your computer?

    Fill in the form on our Contact Page and we will put you in touch with your nearest squadron.