WHAT WE DO

WHAT IS THE AIR CADETS

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is one of the UK's premier youth organisations. Helping to foster an interest in aviation within you people and arming them with the skills to excel in life.

Membership of the RAFAC is exciting, rewarding and above all fun. You'll discover skills you never knew you had, do things and visit places you never thought you would, and meet lots of like-minded people who will become your team-mates and friends.

WHAT IS THE RAFAC?

The RAF Air Cadets. Better known as the 'Air Cadets', are a UK-wide Cadet Force with more than 40,000 members aged between 12 and 20 years.

We're sponsored by the Royal Air Force and can give you hands-on experience of activities and courses that will challenge and develop your skills to help you succeed in whatever you want to do.

OUR AIMS

Our aims are to:

  • Promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people

  • Provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian life

  • Encourage the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?

As a cadet you'll have the opportunity to do things that others only dream about.

Want real flight experience? No problem. How about heading out on adventurous training and camps, sometimes overseas? Normal for cadets. Competitive sports, drill, shooting, music, abseiling, engineering projects?

Our list of activities is long, varied and open to all cadets. Yes it's a challenge, but that's what life's all about.

GET A HEAD START IN LIFE

We are not a recruiting organisation for the RAF but if you're thinking about a Service career, cadet membership will put you ahead of the competition. Many cadets go on to great success in the RAF. Around 45% of all aircrew (including pilots) in the RAF now are ex-cadets.

Research shows that they do better in training and stay in the Service longer than their peers.

Likewise, if you choose a civilian career our research proves you can go on to great things…employers just love the skills and experience that Air Cadets offer.