Aviation Program Strategic Plan

In the early 1960's the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was faced with a reduction in the number of transport aircraft such as the Dakota, Expeditor and Otter. At the same time, ever-increasing demands were being placed on those aircraft remaining in the inventory. The opportunity for Air Cadets to participate in familiarization flying was therefore greatly diminished and fewer cadets than ever were able to experience the thrill of flying. It was for this reason that the Ontario Gliding program was conceived as an alternative means of providing this outstanding experience. The goal was, and remains, to “Keep the Air in Air Cadets”

The success of the flying program has been achieved through forethought and planning. This is particularly true with respect to the acquisition of qualified pilots. Currently all Gliding Centre Flight Commanders are former Air Cadets and all Centres operate with recent graduates of the Air Cadet program. One of the original aims of the program was to ensure it was self-sustaining by training, developing and utilizing graduates of the program. During the initial three years of the program the Soaring Association of Canada provided instructors who were instrumental in training members of the Air Cadet movement. Since that time however, all instructors have been provided from within the program. This initiative must be continued in order to provide a pool of qualified instructors for the operation of the Central Region Gliding School (CRGS) each summer. Unfortunately, the retention of cadets in the program has declined in recent years. Steps must be taken to reverse this trend in order to ensure the success of the program is not compromised. This is a very serious situation that could easily jeopardize the future of the program.

An Air Cadet League/Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) program to support Squadrons across the country to establish model building programs was established approximately ten years ago. Administration of this program rests with the OPC. The program has proven quite successful in recent years and, as a result, funds generated by the RCFCA Trust Fund are no longer sufficient to meet our needs.

The use of flight simulators is seen as a desirable optional training activity and our military partners are working on the development of a national program.

These programs also contribute to the goal of encouraging Air Cadets and supporting the Air Cadet League mandate have been introduced over the years and must be addressed in the strategic plan.

Extensive surveys of Air Cadets and Commanding Officers were undertaken in 1994, 2000 and 2008 covering virtually all aspects of the power and gliding program. The data collected provided significant and meaningful information about the aviation program in Ontario/Central Region. Much of this information was used in the development of this report.

The Way Ahead: Specific Strategies

Long Term Strategies to achieve the Core Priority identified above.

Work closely with our military partners and aviation organizations and associations to ensure the success of current and new aviation-oriented programs designed to stimulate Air Cadet interest in aeronautics.

Provide the resources to permit a minimum of one glider flight per year for each and every Air Cadet under the mandate of the Ontario Provincial Committee.

Encourage Air Cadets to learn the basics of flight.

Work to provide opportunities for Air Cadets to participate in flying and gliding scholarship training resulting in the achievement of Gliding and/or Private Pilot Licence and Air Cadet Wings.

Promote among Air Cadets an interest in the field of aviation as a career.

Support Air Cadet Squadrons in the establishment of model aircraft building programs.

Support Air Cadet Squadrons in the acquisition of flight simulators.

Educate Air Cadets as well as members of the Air Cadet League, Squadron Sponsors, Canadian Armed Forces and the public at-large on the specifics of our programs and their value to the Air Cadets of our jurisdiction, the Air Cadet League, the Department of National Defence and Canada.

Contribute to the selection process for power and glider candidates as to criteria and interviews.

Increase the fleet of gliders to provide for one additional aircraft for each of the major Gliding Centres. These aircraft to be dedicated to providing soaring opportunities for staff cadets enabling them to build hours toward passenger carrying and instructor qualifications.

1. Immediate Term: To be completed by the end of the 2008-2009 training year (August 2009)

Work in close collaboration with our military partners, and specifically the Central Region RC(Air)OpsO to formulate input into the development of a long-range strategic plan for the Air Cadet Flying Program.

Note: The development of a long-range strategic plan is a work in progress and we are working closely with our military partners in this initiative. Past OPC Chair and National Governor Chuck Verge represented the Air Cadet League at the planning meeting in Ottawa in theFall of 2008.

Work with our military partners to identify, and implement, programs and practices designed to improve retention of cadets in the gliding program and to increase their level of participation.

Carry out communication initiatives directed at cadets to raise the visibility of opportunities, such as familiarization pilot flying, proficiency upgrades, instructor training and summer employment, for both glider pilot and power pilot scholarship graduates

Note: All cadets who, in responding to the Air Cadet survey, requested information were sent an e-mail with the CRGS “Come Fly With Us” brochure.

An Aviation Committee web page was introduced in August 2008 and contains the same “Come Fly With Us” brochure.

To further publicize opportunities in our flying program Squadron Commanding

Officers were encouraged to present cadets receiving a qualification achievement award on a Squadron parade. Further, they were encouraged to include Gliding Centre Commanders, Assigned Gliding Centre Directors and Assigned Squadron Directors in the presentations.

OPC strongly recommend to Air Cadet League that the Pilot Training Achievement Award (PTAA)

and other donor cash awards be directed to those cadets that attain and/or who are working toward attaining their Glider Familiarization Pilot rating.

As an initiative to encourage cadets to remain active and progress to Pilot/Instructor status,

introduce an incentive bonus program to reward the achievement of qualifications as follows:

Upon achieving front seat familiarization flying pilot status - $150.00
Upon achieving rear seat familiarization flying pilot status - $250.00
Upon achieving qualification as a Pilot/Instructor - $400.00

The annual cost of this program is estimated to be approximately seven thousand dollars ( $7,000.00)

Note: This initiative was implemented with effect September 1, 2008. Thirty- three awards were made in December 2008 and ten more in June 2009. These consisted of:

> 29 Front seat awards

> 9 Rear seat awards, and

> 5 Instructor awards

With a total value of $8,600.00

Develop a program to provide support funding for the purchase of flight simulators by Air Cadet Squadrons.

Note: Aviation Committee member Ian Munro has accepted responsibility for

leading the development of a flight simulation support program for Squadrons wishing to introduce an optional flight simulation training program.

Investigate means by which funding for the MAAC/Air Cadet League program can be generated.

Note: Funding for the program was increased in the amount of $4,100.00 thru donations of $2,100.00 from MAAC and $2,000.00 from an anonymous donor solicited by the Chair of the OPC Aviation Committee.

Review the success of the Aeronca Chief rebuilding project and provide funding in the amount of approximately eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000.00) for the 2009 summer training program.

Note: The 2008 program was deemed to be a success and the Board of Governors provided a budget amount of $8,500 toward continuation of the program in the summer of 2009. An additional $14,000.00 donation was received from The Hamilton Flying Club Foundation in Hamilton, Ontario.

2. Short Term: To be completed by the end of the 2009-2010 training year (August 2010)

OPC to provided funding to compensate Glider Familiarization Pilots. Estimated cost approximately thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) per annum.

Note: This recommendation was approved in principle by the OPC Board of Governors subject to the availability of funding from projected increased OPC Lottery funds.

Introduce a program to provide support funding for the purchase of flight simulators by Air Cadet Squadrons.

Overhaul, a set of Schweizer 2-33 wings for inventory and use as required. Approximate cost of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00)

Note: The 2008 – 2009 budget included an amount of $20,000 toward the overhaul of two sets of wings. These two sets have now been completed by K&L Soaring and have been installed on gliders C-FYLJ and C-FDXP.

A third set of wings requiring rebuilding will be sent to K&L Soaring to be rebuilt during the winter months. This, once the wings from C- GODC have been SIRPed (see next item below), will satisfy our goal of having two spare sets of wings available at all times.

Acquire an additional glider to be used for staff cadet soaring to increase flight experience and build flight time toward eventual qualification as a Pilot/Instructor.

Note: An additional 2-33 glider (C-GODC) was purchased in July 2009. It will be sometime however before the aircraft is avaialble for service. The wings will be SIRPed and used as a spare set.

3. Medium Term: To be completed by the end of the 2010-2011 training year (August 2011)

Acquire an additional glider to be used for staff cadet soaring and time building

Acquire another Bellanca “Scout” fuselage from the factory in preparation for the SIRP of another

high-hours aircraft. Approximate cost of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00)

Core Priority

To contribute to the success of the Air Cadet League mandate by encouraging and assisting Air Cadets in the OPC jurisdiction to actively participate in a wide variety of aviation-oriented programs.

The Air Cadet League mandate:

“To promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aeronautics and to assist those intending to pursue a career in the field of aviation.”

Background

The Way Ahead: Specific Strategies

Last Updated: March 2, 2011