AirCadets_FirstFlight_General

FIRST FLIGHT

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE AIR CADETS OF ATLANTIC CANADA

MANY FIRSTS IN FLIGHTS THAT LAST A LIFETIME

First time embracing personal challenges

First time being mentored

First life-long friends

First accomplishments as members of a team

First time striving to achieve a goal

First time devoting oneself to discipline and excellence

First time acquiring technical skills

First mastery of knowledge from aeronautics to wilderness survival

First experiences of community service

First engagement with government, civic and military institutions

First times thinking like a citizen

First times directing a squadron, leading the cadets, teaching peers

First moments of seeing themselves as capable

First vision of accomplishing their life-long potential

SERVE...

“TO LEARN . . . TO

TO ADVANCE”

Air Cadet motto since 1966

What does a 12-year-old know or understand about their future? Or how to achieve their potential? Or even that they have potential?

The Air Cadet League knows that potential and we are dedicated to unlocking it.

We engage adolescents in a journey of nurture, teaching, challenge, experience, and peer support that shapes them into exceptional adults ready for whatever futures they choose.

For many, Air Cadets is their first experience of belonging and being accepted.

Because the program is free, there’s no financial barrier to full participation.

Meanwhile, Air Cadet League members and volunteers - many with no military or aviation background - invest thousands of hours in service every year.

Everyone involved is committed year in and year out to advancing the lives and careers of young people. Air Cadets provides the runway for youths to take flight as adults.

PREPARING TODAY’S YOUTH FOR TOMORROW

The Air Cadet League is a federally registered charitable youth organization, promoting leadership, citizenship, physical activity, and an interest in the Air element of the Canadian Forces.

• Between 2,500-2,600 Air Cadets in Atlantic Canada at any given time (enrolment rose during COVID-19)

• 60% male, 40% female with female percentage growing

• Between 25-30% of Air Cadets choose military careers

• Air Cadets are also found throughout aviation as pilots or in aircraft maintenance, air tra c control, and aerospace industries, and become judges, government o cials, and astronauts

• Youth ages 12-18 invest numerous hours weekly under expert leadership (after age 18, they can enrol in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Reserves or Regular Force).

• Free to participate - most financially accessible youth development program in Canada

• Rigorous education in diverse skills and content well beyond what most youths experience

• A culture of service and citizenship as premiere values in life

• A framework for older cadets to help younger cadets

• Emphasis on being part of a team and on learning to lead a team

• Progressive scope and responsibility leading to competence and confidence

A solo flight, but not a solo accomplishment

Becoming airborne in a glider is not done alone. That flight depends on volunteers you can trust to perform a variety of roles.

On a glider flight, the ground crew are Cadets and they are managed by Cadet sta – Cadets hired as summer student employees to support the Air Cadet League Canada/DND program.

All Cadets are supervised by expert volunteers and sta , but as with every part of the program, Cadets both serve and lead.

The “tow plane” is an image of the Air Cadet corps itself - providing the initial power and thrust to get airborne, launching a young person into a life of productive independence, and o ering guidance from the ground up as they fly.

FIRST FLIGHT

Getting to the “first flight” requires hard work, personal discipline and sacrifice, and a willingness to rise far outside one’s normal comfort zone.

For Cadets, finding themselves aloft and in control of a glider is exhilarating.

Then, Cadets report, they have “the moment”, Going Solo, being the pilot in command – that instant when they are struck by the seriousness of the undertaking. First pulled behind a tow plane, and then, untethered, dependent on their own skills and choices for success.

That First Flight is an example of the Air Cadet approach – train hard and well, prepare thoroughly, and then step outside your comfort zone. How many 16 years olds can add “Pilot Licence” as an accomplishment on their resume?

The satisfaction of a hard-won accomplishment and the joy of the experience leaves imprints on the Cadets and propels them towards their future.

• Under normal circumstances, each Provincial Cadet gets a famil flight in a glider once per year.

• About 300 Cadets per year nationally achieve their Transport Canada issued glider pilot license.

• And, about 250 obtain their Transport Canada issued private pilot license. (Frequently, a Cadet will obtain a private pilot’s licence before a driver’s licence)

NEEDED: REPLACEMENT

In 2021, the Air Cadet League of Canada celebrates its 80th Anniversary!

Over the past eight decades, the Air Cadet League has continually worked to establish and support Squadrons in communities across the country, from coast to coast to coast. Currently there are over 450 Squadrons with more than 28,600 Air Cadets.

For further information, go to: aircadetleague.com

AIR CADETS ARE INVOLVED IN MANY ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES.

EDGAR

ATLANTIC CANADA'S PROVINCIAL COMMITTEES AIR CADET LEAGUE OF CANADA 2021

ALLAIN

ATLANTIC PROVINCES, “FIRST FLIGHT” (AIRCRAFT ACQUISITION) CAMPAIGN, CO-CHAIR

Edgar Allain received his Glider Pilot Licence in 1977 and Private Pilot Licence in 1978 through the Air Cadets. He has flown a variety of aircrafts and has an excess of 9000 hrs of flight experience. He has been an Air Cadet League Member since 2000 and a past Chair of the NB Provincial Committee and past National Governor. Edgar is currently an Aviation Safety InspectorFlight Operations with Transport Canada in Moncton, NB.

William joined the Air Cadets program at the age of 12 and received his private pilot’s licence in 2000. Prior to joining the Air Cadet League, William spent 11 years as a CIC o cer serving in various capacities in squadrons in St. John’s and Halifax. He is a partner in the St. John’s o ce of Cox & Palmer where he practices corporate and commercial law.

Dee first encountered the Air Cadet League when her son joined the local squadron in 2005. She quickly realised what an excellent program Cadets was and has volunteered ever since. She has held several positions locally and provincially, and was elected to the National Board of Governors at AGM held virtually in June 2021.

Dan was an Air Cadet before serving in the primary reserve and became a CIC o cer in 1988. He has served as commanding O cer of 29 Sydney Kiwanis Squadron and at Greenwood, Acadia and Cold Lake CTCs in numerous positions including Deputy Commanding O cer of Greenwood CTC. He is the League Director for 517 F/Lt Graham Squadron. He is currently employed with CAE Inc. at 14 Wing Greenwood.

Kendra has been involved with Air Cadets since she joined in 1982 with 53 Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) C.E. Monty Sqn in Summerside, following in her father’s footsteps as a cadet and pilot. Kendra was appointed to the PEI Air Cadet League in 2006. She joined the Board as Vice Chair after a 27-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force. She also served abroad and overseas in Afghanistan in 2003 Roto 0.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, PROVINCIAL CHAIR NEW BRUNSWICK, PROVINCIAL CHAIR NOVA SCOTIA, PROVINCIAL CHAIR

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, PROVINCIAL CHAIR

FIRST FLIGHT

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE AIR CADETS OF ATLANTIC CANADA

For further information, please contact:

"First Flight" Campaign (Aircraft Acquisition), Co-Chair Edgar Allain allain.edgar@gmail.com 1.506.866.3649