209 (West Bridgford) Squadron Air Training Corps

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With almost 41,000 members, aged from 13 to 20 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 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 ATC Motto is:

'Venture Adventure'

 

 

Flying & Gliding

 

Cadets from  Air Training Corps Squadron are offered opportunities to fly in light aircraft, gliders as well as other RAF and civil aircraft.

There are plenty of opportunities open to cadets when flying, from aerobatics in the new Grob Tutor to practising 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.

 

 

There are also exciting opportunities for cadets to learn how to fly, with scholarships for both powered flight and gliding.

In general, every cadet will be given opportunities to fly during their time as an active member of an ATC squadron.

 

 

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

 

 

 

The Award is a challenging programme of activities, and young people who participate can learn new skills, help others and experience adventure.

 It is recognised by employers, universities, the Armed Services and many others as an outstanding development programme because Award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self confidence than their counterparts, and have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.

 There are three levels, Bronze Silver and Gold, and at each level there are activities in four sections – Service, Expeditions, Skills and Physical Recreation. At Gold level there is also a Recreational Project. 

 

 

The Air Training Corps is the biggest user of the Award,
and cadets from the age of 14 can get involved. Those aged 15 may start at Silver, and those over 16 may start at Gold, but most cadets choose to work through all three levels. To get involved talk to the Squadron Training Officer.

 Training Syllabus
 

The ACO Training Syllabus is progressive and is designed to give you the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to more fully take part in the other activities available to you. Training will vary between formal lectures, hands on projects and plenty of outdoors 'actually doing it'.

The technical training is based around providing ground training in preparation and support of your flying and gliding activities. It will help your piloting skills immensely if you know why aeroplanes can stay up in the sky and how the engine or radio works. Many Cadets find that the ground training syllabus is one of the more interesting and useful aspects of their training. Don't forget that 209 Squadrons can now offer a BTEC in Aviation Studies to Cadets who successfully complete the training syllabus. This nationally recognised qualification (can be used as the science requirement for RAF entry) will be a great addition to the to your CV upon leaving school/college whatever career you wish to pursue. What is more, you will have loads of fun whilst completing it with your friends on the Squadron.



Shooting

Cadets at all levels of the Air Training Corps have the opportunity to participate in the sport of rifle shooting. Since the ATC was originally a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force it made good sense for marksmanship to be on the training syllabus. Shooting remains one of the most popular cadet activities.

 

 

A "range" is a location designed so that people can take part in shooting under controlled conditions and ranges come in many shapes and sizes. Initially, shooting takes place with the target 25m from the firer, either on a 25m indoor range or a 25m barrack (outdoor) range. As the firer advances through the weapons they will start to shoot at ranges of 100m or more.

Safety is paramount with all ATC activities and shooting is certainly no exception. Training is an integral part of the system and each cadet is fully trained in whichever rifle they will be using. Supervising staff are similarly trained to deal with any eventualities and to ensure that the range is run safely and efficiently. All rifles are fired from the prone position (the firer is lying on their stomach) at static, targets.