Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Welcome to the Home of Air Cadets in Pacific Region
Over the May long weekend, lower mainland cadets participate in the field training exercise Summer Thunder.
Hosted by 103 Thunderbird Squadron of North Vancouver. Photo Credit - Capt Tom Powell About Air Cadets
The Air Cadet Programme in British Columbia is exciting, challenging and active. We offer youth activities geared towards citizenship, leadership, fitness, music and pilot training, just to name a few. The Air Cadet training year runs between September and June with summer training in July and August. During the training year, Air Cadets meet one night a week with some mandatory and optional activities on weekends. The programme is for youth between the ages of 12-18 and is easy to join.
Air Cadet Training Currently in British Columbia there are over 3300 youth involved in the programme, running in over 52 different communities. There are also squadrons all across Canada, from as far east as St Johns Newfoundland to as north as Iqaluit Nunavut. Every year, selected Air Cadets are given the opportunity to participate in different summer training activities across BC, across Canada and in some cases internationally. Each summer approximately 1250 cadets are selected to participate in summer training. Summer training courses range from 2-7 weeks long and focus on general cadet knowledge, leadership, instruction, wilderness survival, athletics, music and pilot training. Each year, through commitment and dedication, close to 70 cadets in BC achieve their power or glider pilot licences. All summer training is at no cost to the cadet.
Program Partnership
The huge success of the Air Cadet Programme is the result of a strong partnership between the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Air Cadet League of Canada. Locally, each Air Cadet Squadron is administered by officers of The Cadet Instructors Cadre, a sub component of the CF and a local parent sponsoring committee, representing the Air Cadet League of Canada. To aid this partnership in ensureing the resources required are available to deliver the best programme possible, parents and cadets are expected to participate in and contribute to fund raising.
Contact Information
Please take a moment to explore our website and should you require more information, contact the local Air Cadet Squadron in your area or theAir Cadet Office toll free 1-800-661-4255.