Structure & Organisation

The Air Cadet Organisation fits into the Royal Air Force within the Training Group Defence Agency which is in turn part of Royal Air Force Personnel and Training Command (PTC) based at RAF High Wycombe. PTC is responsible for the recruitment and selection of all RAF personnel and for the policy and delivery of RAF non-operational training (including Flying Training).

Headquarters Air Cadets (HQAC) is based at Royal Air Force College (RAFC) Cranwell in Lincolnshire and is operated by a management team led by Air Commodore Gordon Moulds. The Corps currently consists of 6 regions, London & South East, South West, Wales & West, Central & East, Scotland & Northern Ireland. Each region is commanded by a retired Royal Air Force Group Captain and typically splits into 6 to 8 Wings. These are normally split by county boundaries.

494 Sqn is part of London & Region (LASER) who is commanded by Group Captain Les Hakin RAFR. LASER consists of 6 Wings, Essex, Sussex, Kent, London, Surrey and Middlesex and its Regional Headquarters is based at RAF Northolt. 494 Sqn is part of Essex Wing. Essex Wing is one of most active Wing’s in the Corps helping to develop Corps wide policy with the LASER review and the advent of the Basic Adult Staff Induction Course (BASIC).


The Wing is currently commanded by Wing Commander Glenn Mayes RAFVR(T) and Wing Headquarters is based at Carver Barracks, home of 33 Regiment Royal Engineers and formally RAF Debden. There are 36 Wings in the ATC and Wing’s typically consist of around 30 units. The functional and focal hub of the ATC is the units which are typically Squadrons or Detached Flights if they have less than 30 enrolled cadets.



Each Squadron is typically commanded by an officer holding a commission in the RAF VR(T). The Officer Commanding (OC) has a great deal of autonomy regarding the operation of the unit but is ultimately responsible for the development of its personnel. OC’s are assisted by Adult Non Commissioned Officers (NCO’s) and Civilian Instructors. Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers are entitled to 28 days pay per year.

The Corps has two national air cadet adventure training centres controlled centrally by HQAC at Llanbedr and Windemere. These provide a range of activities and expeditions for Corps units. The Corps also has 12 Air Experience Flights (AEF’s) around the country offering cadets chance to familiarize themselves with flying aircraft such as the Grob Tutor. This aviation element is further supported by 28 Volunteer Gliding Schools (VGS) around the country who are operated by both staff and senior cadet.

Membership

Cadet’s
Young people can join the ATC at any time between the ages of 13 and 18. Cadets can extend their service to the age of 20 if they are promoted the rank of Cadet Sergeant by their 18th birthday. Cadets who stay after the age of 18 are given the rank prefix ‘Instructor Cadet’. Promotion through the rank structure does not necessarily relate to academic ability or physical prowess, the process is based upon both leadership and merit. The Cadet rank structure can be seen by clicking here. Cadets also have classifications which are a proven system of aviation and general service based qualifications. Cadets study aviation and the Royal Air Force and can progress onto being a Staff cadet and be awarded a BTEC in Aviation in Studies. For more information of classifications please click here.

To meet the 494 Sqn cadets please click here.

To find out more about joining 494 Sqn please click here.

Adult Staff
The ATC, as with every youth organisation requires strong leadership and committed staff with drive and enthusiasm. Many staff are ex-cadets or ex-servicemen and women however a great deal of ATC staff come from a completely civilian background. Most staff initially begin as Civilian Instructors and are either commissioned into the RAF VR(T) or become ATC Adult NCO’s.

To find out more about the 494 Sqn Staff team please click here.

To find out more about joining 494 as member of staff please click here.

It is important to note that neither adult staff nor cadets have a liability for call up with service with the UK’s Armed Forces. Being a member of ACO does not necessary guarantee selection with any element of the UK’s Armed Forces.