INDEX
Aviation Program Strategic Plan
Aviation Technology & Maintenance Course
Aviation Technology Course Article
Flight Simulator Program (Pending)
Introduction to Search & Rescue Program
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The Air Cadet Gliding Program
A Lifetime of Flying
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THE AIR CADET GLIDING PROGRAM
So....you want to be a pilot
As an Air Cadet, you have a chance to earn both your glider pilot's license and your private pilot's license. You can be flying solo in
a small aircraft before you even have your drivers license!
Its not an easy journey, but the reward is worth the work. As you may already realize, there's a lot to know if you want to be a pilot - from navigation and weather to instruments, good pilots have a sound knowledge of everything to do with aviation - and it takes quite a bit of study.
Learning to actually fly can be challenging too - there are long hours involved, and lots of practice. But the end result - your fIrst solo flight - is well worth the effort!
This brochure is intended to help answer some of the questions you might have about your options as an Air Cadet. Should you have additional questions, please use your squadron chain of command to contact Regional Cadet Air Operations for answers.
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A "Flight Plan" For The Air Cadet Gliding Program
Summer - Age 15
Attend Introduction to Aviation Course (ITAC) at the Air Cadet Summer Training Centre, CFB Trenton.
Winter
Apply for Glider Pilot Scholarship training
Summer - Age 16
Attend the CRGS Glider Pilot Training Course and graduate with your Glider Pilot Licence
Fall
Participate in familiarization flying as often as possible, work towards 10 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) and your familiarization rating. Teach aviation subjects at your home squadron
Winter
Apply for the Power Pilot Scholarship, with Staff Cadet at CRGS as your backup plan
Spring
Participate in familiarization flying with your Gliding Centre as often as possible. You should earn your familiarization rating this Spring and qualify for the Ontario Provincial Committee (OPC) $150.00 front seat qualification award. (For information click here Glider Pilot Achievement Award)
Summer - Age 17
Participate in the Power Pilot Scholarship training or work as a CRGS Staff Cadet
Fall
Participate in familiarization flying with your Gliding Centre as often as possible. You should earn your rear seat familiarization rating this fall (15 hours PIC required) and qualify for the OPC rear seat qualification award of $250.00. Teach aviation subjects at your home squadron
Winter
Get your Gliding Centre Commander's recommendation and apply for the Glider Instructor's Course. Apply as a Glider Instructor or a CRGS Staff Cadet.
Spring
Participate in the Spring familiarization flying program with your Gliding Centre as often as possible.
Summer - Age 18
Complete the Glider Instructor course, qualify for the OPC instructor qualification award of $400.00 and be employed to teach your first students! Or work as a CRGS Staff cadet.
Fall - Age 18+
Enrol as a Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) officer entitling you to be paid when participating in weekend familiarization flying! You should work diligently to improve your proficiency in preparation to be a Glider Pilot Instructor. Teach aviation subjects with your home Squadron.
Winter
Get your Glider Centre Commander's recommendation and apply for the Glider Pilot Instructors Course and for summer employment. Also apply for CIC Officer courses.
Spring
Take CIC Officer courses.
Summer - Age 18+
Complete the Glider Pilot Instructors Course and be employed to teach students.
CIC Officers can continue to take courses, usually once each year. The courses are based around leadership and other skills and you will be paid for attending. These courses are prerequisites for promotion, will stand you in good stead for whatever career you eventually embark upon and will look great on your resume.
The nice thing about being a Glider Pilot Instructor is the element of job security it provides. Once you are qualified, you will be in high demand and will not have to worry about finding summer employment each year.
The Best Part? ITS FUN!! Being an instructor is an extremely rewarding experience.
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Pre-Flight - The First Steps
Some of you may have already taken a ground school course provided by your squadron and written the Scholarship Exam in Jamnuary. If you have not done this yet, ask your Squadron officers when the ground school courses are held. Usually they run one night a week from September to December. These classes will prepare you for a multiple-choice exam that is given each January. You must pass this exam with at least 50% to be eligible to apply for the Glider Pilot or Power Pilot Scholarship Courses.
Many Air Cadets take the Introduction to Aviation Course (ITAC) the summer before they apply for a pilot training course. ITAC is a three-week course that provides a fun introduction to aviation.
Air Cadets are selected for pilot training by adding up scores based upon things such as school marks, a written narrative (essay), qualifying exam marks and a selection board interview. The top appliants are selected from this list. If you require more information, ask your Squadron officers.
It is important to remember that the qualifying exam mark is only worth 25% of the final score. This means that even if you get a lower score on the exam, you can still be competitive by doing well in the selection board interviews.
Many Air Cadets take the ITAC course followed by the Glider Pilot Scholarship then the Power Pilot Scholarship courses. From there, many are are employed as Staff cadets earning money toward their College or University training. As an adult, many opportunities exist for employment as ground school instructors, course supervisors and Glider Pilot Instructors.
Are You Interested? Then why not
Come Fly With Us!
