WHAT WE DO
On Squadron, we create a plan each month with a varied program of activities.Cadets can also take part in activities organised by our parent organisations : Â Greater Manchester Wing, Northern Region and HQAC (HeadQuarters Air Cadets).Some examples are shown in the list below:
SQUADRON ACTIVITIES
Blues activities" : Drill, Classification Training
Greens activities" : Fieldcraft, Leadership
Sport
"Trades" : Band, modelling, aircraft recce, media, STEM
First Aid
Flight Simulator
Social events
WING ACTIVITIES
There are many optional activities run by Greater Manchester Wing HQ – these include:
evening and single day activities at other squadrons or the Ashton training centre
weekend camps (such as Wing Training Weekend, Wing Activity Weekend)
week long camps run on an RAF base
FLYING & GLIDING
Flying is in the RAFs Grob Tutor – the same aircraft used as the initial trainer for RAF pilots. This training is conducted by AEF (Air Experience Flight). For us this is usually at RAF Woodvale (near Southport) or RAF Cosford in the midlands.
Gliding is in the RAFs Viking glider – conducted by VGS (Volunteer Gliding School) at multiple locations.
For a period of time flying opportunities were limited due to issues with the runway at RAF Woodvale and with availability of gliding instructors. Both have now been resolved and flying opportunities in the wing are increasing.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
We also organise additional activities away from squadron. For example, helping out East Cheshire Hospice events, public parades, social activities… For these we need to get permission from Greater Manchester Wing and (if in uniform) from the MOD and police too. The key driver behind this is to ensure the safety of our cadets.
Scholarships including flying and QAIC (Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course)
Overseas camps such as IACE (Internationl Air Cadet Exchange) and Cyprus
Road Marching including RAF Cosford 2 day march & Nijmegen