The Air Training Corps is a youth organisation based on the principals and rank structure of the Royal Air Force.
The Air Training Corps was officially formed by Royal warrant on 5th February 1941, amidst the fighting of WWII. It was formed from the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) whose primary aim was to train young men into becoming RAF Pilots.
The Badge of the air cadets was published in August of 1941, with the Motto of the Air Training Corps "Venture Adventure".
The aims of the 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
In August 1947 a group of 2 Officers and 42 cadets spent 3weeks in Canada as guests of the Air League of Canada. On their return they brought a group of Canadian Cadets for an exchange visit. The was the first in a series of exchanges that have taken place every year since, and which in 1958 just officially called the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) and had grew to include 15 countries
The most recent change in the Air Training Corps was the introduction of the "LaSER" Report carried out in 2003. The report highlighted changes need for the corps to come into line with changing child protection and data handling laws.
After the report, all Cadets who have not attained the rank of Cadet Sergeant by their 18th Birthday are released from the corps, and those at the Rank of Cadet Sergeant append Instructor Cadet in front of their Rank. Along with Cadet changes, were also changes to the adult rank structure.
The Air Training Corps mow stands proud as one of the Largest Youth Organisations in the UK, providing thousands of children between the ages of 13 and 18 the opportunity to experience the thrills of the sky from where ever they are.
Although changing considerably from the days of training for entry to the RAF, the ATC still aims to capture the imagination, and enthusiasm for aviation amongst the young people of this county. The Corps will, through it's range of many activities, continue to produce a setting for to show its finest qualities