Join our squadron
Joining us:
We welcome boys and girls aged over 13 years. The maximum age for joining is 16 years and 9 months. If you are a little too young, you are still welcome to visit, and learn what you can look forward to.
If you are interested in joining, visit us and we will show you what we are about, and answer any questions you have.
What we do
There is a very good introduction to the opportunities and activities available in the Air Training Corps on The Air Cadet Organisation site. To learn more about what we do on our squadron, read below and take a look at our news articles.
Flying and Gliding
Air Experience Flying (AEF) takes place in the Grob Tutor powered 2-seater single engined aircraft. This is the basic training aircraft for the Royal Air Force, only two steps away from the Hawk Jet Trainer. We fly from RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire.
Air Experience Gliding (AEG) uses the Vigilant Glider. The aircraft has an engine, allowing it to take off under its own power. We fly from RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire.
Cadets fly from the age of 13, after completing several modules of their basic training. In both aircraft the cadet occupies the pilot seat, whilst the qualified instructor takes the co-pilot position. From the first flight, cadets will take the controls in a progressive and rewarding training program.
Leadership
Leadership exercises are designed to stretch both the mental and physical ability of the cadets to their limits. They are required to plan their actions and make contingencies if the first plan fails. Working in teams, they develop skills essential for later life, whether or not they pursue a career in the military.
With a large open area of woodland and a stream just meters from the squadron headquarters, we carry out a very wide variety of problem solving and initiative exercises. We actively encourage cadets to plan and create these, whilst others are sprung on them by the staff team.
Previous exercises have involved constructing a device for launching eggs, securing ropes to cross a stream, and decoding radio messages to locate an injured pilot.
Shooting & Marksmanship
Target and Competition shooting is one of the traditional military and sporting aspects to the Air Training Corps. Safety is the number one priority for all involved. Training is only provided by qualified instructors. Cadets are taught to respect the rifle and understand the consequences of its use. All training is progressive to ensure the cadet develops skills and is tested before trying something new.
The first weapon the cadets come into contact with is the Lee Enfield No. 8 .22" single-shot Bolt-action Service rifle. This is fired on military and private ranges at a distances upto 25m. The targets and disciplines vary, and most competitions are carried out with this weapon.
With further training cadets can progress onto the L98-A2 5.56mm Cadet GP Rifle. This is a semi-automatic version of the standard Military SA80 assault rifle. This is fired at varying ranges from 25m to 600m. It is used at Full Bore competitions throughout the Corps and with other youth organisations at national level.
Cadets can achieve qualifications for their ability. Squadron, Wing, Region, and Corps marksmanships awards are available.
Hatfield & de Havilland Squadron benefits from a Shooting Officer that is both highly qualified and active for the Squadron and for the Wing. Our cadets have opportunites to fire regularly at many ranges with several types of weapons.
Sports
The options for physical activity within the ATC are almost unlimited. Cadets can participate in a huge variety of sports from squadron up to even national level! Hatfield & de Havilland Squadron is situated by sports fields and and make use of local sports facilities. Cadets from the squadron regularly participate in sporting activities on both an individual and team basis.
Football, Hockey, Netball, Swimming, Athletics, Volleyball, Cricket, Canoeing, Sailing, Climbing, Abseiling, and more.
Radio and Communications
The ability to use a radio or other communication device helps cadets to understand and hone their own communication skills. Cadets are taught basic radio and communication skills at entry level in the corps, and can progress to hold an RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) radio license, skill and qualifications that can be used in many ways later in life.
With a varied range of equipment comprising UHF and VHF radio systems on both military and civillian frequescies, cadets regularly take part in radio exercises in and around the squadron. Courses specifically aimed at enhancing a cadets radio skills are available at frequent intervals throughout the year.
Drill
Drill is one of the integral parts of military life, seen as the traditional form of discipline within the armed forces. Useful for teamwork, leadership and personal development, drill is the learning of actions through repetition, until the action is instinctive. Complex actions are broken down into simpler ones which can be practised in isolation. Put together, a highly polished, co-ordinated drill sequence can be used for parades or display purposes. Cadets take pride in wearing their uniform smartly whilst marching with precision.
Drill can also be taken a step further to include weaponry drill, continuity drill and drill whilst playing musical instruments (band drill). Drill competitions are held at all levels of the Air Training Corps.
Formal Parades
Parades form an integral part of cadet life, and as they are often in the public eye, discipline and smartness are paramount. Sizes of parades can vary from a local parade, involving a number of cadets, traditionally for honour guard on remembrance day, up to regional parades for military open days and charity purposes.
We are proud to be chosen every year as the honour guard for the cenotaph in Hatfield, every November. Four cadets stand guard to pay respect to those who lost their lives in defence of this country. On a larger scale several parades at local RAF base and in the local community are carried out by our cadets every year.
Station Visits
Under the wing of the British Military, the Air Training Corps has access to many RAF and military establishments, which are of great value and interest to all cadets regardless of whether they wish to pursue a career in the armed forces. We are often granted access to otherwise secretive areas, providing a fascinating insight into the defence of this country.
With so many military establishments at our disposal, we undertake many visits to RAF and other stations all year round. Some of these include other activities such as flying, gliding, shooting, sports and exercises.