The Air Cadets, being affiliated to the Royal Air Force devote a lot of time to air experience flying. Cadets have the opportunity to have air experience flights in aircraft such as the Grob Tutor, along with occasional opportunities for flights in other aircraft used by the military - helicopters, transport planes, jets the list is long!

Cadets will all get at least one flight per year in a powered aircraft (often more depending on how many others take the opportunity). Each flight the cadet takes may be different -as they progress in experience and confidence they will learn more about the technicalities of flying the Grob, maybe take off or land for the very experienced and for those with strong stomachs, even some aerobatics. 

The flying aspect of the ATC, along with most other aspects, offers many opportunities to cadets who wish to pursue a developed interest in the activity. Cadets may become a Staff cadets at the Air Experience Flight (AEF) or apply for flying scholarships - the possibilities are extensive

Each cadet will also get the opportunity to experience gliding. The Air Cadet Organisation operates a number of Volunteer Gliding Schools (VGS) across the country which fly both powered and non-powered gliders. Similarly to powered flying, cadets will progress their training the more times they attend.

Cadet may also apply for a gliding scholarship once they have reached the age of 16. This is a course spread over several weekends, or intensively over a week, which gives the cadet 12 hours of flying in gliders. If deemed competent enough, they will also have the opportunity to fly solo in a glider and can continue on to earn their glider pilots wings.

Cadets who particularly enjoy gliding can also apply to be staff cadets on the VGS. They assist in the running of the squadron and in some case, may even be flying the other cadets! 

Cadets will all have the opportunity to participate in the sport of rifle shooting and shooting remains one of the most popular cadet activities. We have range qualified staff within 579 Sqn and DF available to run ranges on all of the available weapons.

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.

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. 

Cadets are trained to use three different weapons, and we go shooting at least once a month.

Air Cadets acoss the country have the opportunity to attend camps run at Squadron, Wing, Regional and Corps Level. Camps allows cadets to see how the RAF works, or to teach them skills or allow them to do a lot of adventure training. They can be overseas or in this country

Cadets have the opportunity to attend a large array of residential camps during their time in the corps; each one is a week or two long and will consist of a large amount of activities related to the ATC during that time.