Join as an adult volunteer
Over 20? Seeking a new challenge? Would you like to develop skills, leadership qualities and gain qualifications too?
At Air Cadets, we constantly assess our past achievements, implement changes to meet the challenges of today and make plans for the future. And a huge part of that planning is you. As the backbone of our organisation we're always on the look out for high-calibre individuals to become volunteers, helping to run the activities that play such an important role in the lives of our young members.
All kinds of people make up our volunteer staff, coming from a range of backgrounds and interests. Obviously if you have direct experience of working with young people, or any relevant skills such as flying or gliding, you would be particularly welcome. These aren't essential though, as we will train and support you at every stage.
That said, you'll have some personal qualities that are essential, such as patience, maturity and responsibility along with an understanding of young people and their needs. You needn't be an athlete, but a good level of physical fitness also helps to ensure you can keep up with the cadets!
Are you Officer or SNCO material?
We rely on our volunteers to help us operate as effectively as possible. Being well organised is an obvious must, ideally with good managerial and administrative skills, and an ability to listen to problems and deal with them tactfully and appropriately.
Really show your skills in these areas and you could end up taking on more responsibility and moving up through the ranks as an officer or senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO). Of course, first you have to join as a Civilian Instructor and then have selection interviews at Wing HQs and Regional HQs but we guide you through that…if you have the potential then we’ll spot it!
Read more in this section about opportunities when you join us as a Civilian Instructor, Civilian Gliding Instructor or Chaplain.
Join as a Civilian Gliding Instructor
You have to be a pilot already, right? No! If you are aged 18-55 and show real aptitude we'll teach you. A mixture of individuals with an interest in aviation become Civilian Gliding Instructors - some are former cadets who have already won their solo wings, others are ex-RAF, airline or private gliding club pilots.
Of course it'll help if you already have flying or gliding experience, but we are more interested in developing your potential if we think you have what it takes to pass the skills you learn on to our cadets.
A flying start
You'll train to exacting standards in either the Viking winch-launched glider or Vigilant motor-glider with a highly experienced RAF Volunteer Reserve pilot. Your progress will depend on your ability, but if you attend your Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) regularly you may progress well enough to win your instructor wings within 12-18 months.
Each year we complete more than 18,000 hours of flying and send over 1,800 cadets aged 16-20 on their first solo in gliders. Flying is scheduled largely at weekends and during week-long camps during the Easter and summer holidays. As a volunteer you're not paid but, once qualified, you can claim expenses for travel and subsistence.
You'll be expected to fly for 2-3 days every month. With experience you also can apply for a commission to become an officer in the Training Branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, entitling you to up to 28 days’ pay per year.
We are the largest gliding organisation in the world, so when you join you become part of a very special team, whatever your ability. If you think you can inspire the next generation of high flyers then why not take the next step?