Who we are
A thriving youth organisation
Durham/Northumberland Wing is one of five RAF Air Cadet Wings in North Region and is made up of 35 Air Training Corps Squadrons (community based) and 3 Combined Cadet Force RAF Sections (based in schools). These units are spread through the counties of Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and Northumberland. The Air Training Corps along with the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) form the RAF Air Cadets, a national youth organisation supported by the Royal Air Force.
Membership
Membership into the RAF Air Cadets is open to all young people in School Year 8 and above. You can remain as a Staff Cadet until you are 20 years old and many cadets do! With almost 41,000 members and over 1,000 Squadrons, the Air Training Corps is one of the country’s premier youth organisations and the world’s largest youth air training organisation. Cadets are supported by a volunteer staff of nearly 10,000 uniformed and non-uniformed members, as well as 5,000 Civilian Committee Members.
Join Us
Activities
The RAF Air Cadets provides the opportunity for members to take part in a huge and diverse range of exciting and challenging activities. Many are organised at National and Regional level, with many others taking place at Wing and Squadron levels. If you’re interested in Flying, Gliding, Adventure Training, Camping, Music, Shooting, Drill, Watersports, Abseiling, Overseas Travel… (to name but a few!), you will be delighted to know that they are all activities provided by the RAF Air Cadets!
What we do
Community
Air Cadets develop a strong sense of community and citizenship that is valued by employers, both military and civil. Cadets also get the opportunity to fly in RAF and commercial aircraft – with some progressing to achieve Flying Scholarships and their Private Pilot’s License (PPL). The RAF Air Cadets is not a recruiting organisation but many members do go on to have exciting careers in the Royal Air Force, other Services or civilian life. Currently, approximately 34% of all RAF aircrew (pilots, navigators and NCO aircrew) and 20% of RAF Officers are ex-Cadets.
Squadrons
The aims of the RAF Air Cadets
Interest
Promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people.
Training
Provide training and essential skills which will be useful in the Services and civilian life.
Adventure
Encourage the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship.
Ready to take the next step?
If you have a question, we’d love to hear from you. Please use the form to send us a message.