| Royal Canadian Air Cadets | |
|---|---|
| Cadets de l'Aviation royale du Canada (French) | |
 Badge of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets | |
| Active | April 9, 1941 – present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Air |
| Type | Quasi-military youth organization |
| Size | 454 squadrons (more than 26,000 cadets) |
| Part of | Canadian Cadet Organizations |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Patron | Governor General of Canada |
| Motto(s) | To learn – to serve – to advance |
| March | Quick: "RCAF March Past" |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier-General Dominique Brais |
| Formation Chief Warrant Officer | Chief Petty Officer 1st Class David Bliss |
| Insignia | |
| Ensign |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Cessna L-19, Cessna 182, Bellanca Scout, Cessna 172 |
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets (French: Cadets de l'Aviation royale du Canada) is a Canadian national youth program for young individuals aged 12 to 18. Under the authority of the National Defence Act, the program is administered by the Canadian Forces (CF) and funded through the Department of National Defence (DND). Additional support is provided by the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC).[1] Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, it forms the "largest federally funded youth program in the country".[2] Cadets are not members of the military and are not obliged to join the Canadian Armed Forces.[3]
The first squadrons were established in 1941 to train young men for duties during World War II.[4][5] Today the focus is on general aviation within the aim: "To instill in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and stimulate an interest in the activities of the Canadian Forces."
The majority of cadet training takes place at the local squadron during the regular school year, with a percentage of cadets selected for summer training courses across Canada. Central to the air cadet program are the gliding and flying courses offered to air cadets who qualify. One in five private pilots in Canada is an ex-air cadet, and 67% of commercial and airline pilots began their careers as an air cadet.[6] There are 454 squadrons located across the country with enrolment of over 26,000 Air Cadets.[7]
- ^ "Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of National Defence and the Air Cadet League of Canada" (PDF). December 1, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
- ^ "Backgrounder: The Canadian Cadet Organizations" (PDF). Department of National Defence. December 6, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2006. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
- ^ "About Canadian Cadet Organization". Canadian Cadet Organizations. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ "Level one Air Cadet training handbook (7.7 MB)" (PDF). Department of National Defence. July 1, 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
- ^ "National Defence Cadet Website: About – History". Department of National Defence. November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- ^ "The Air Cadet Story: The "Air" in Air Cadets". The Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba). Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
- ^ "National Defence Cadet Website: Media info – Statistics". Department of National Defence. September 29, 2004. Archived from the original on April 26, 2006. Retrieved April 12, 2007.