Air Training Corps

Headquarters Cumbria and North Lancashire Wing
Air Training Corps, Building 37, Singleton Road, Weeton,
PRESTON, Lancashire PR4 3ET

Tel:      01772 260752      Fax:     01772 260753

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Aims

The aims of the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) clearly demonstrate the ideals of producing enthusiastic and thoughtful young men and women who will strive to achieve in whatever walk of life they choose:

To promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation among young people

To provide training that will be useful in later life

To foster a spirit of adventure and encourage qualities of leadership and good citizenship

History

Originally formed in 1938, by the Air League of Britain, as the Air Defence Cadet Corps, the Air Training Corps was founded by Royal Warrant on 5 February 1941.  During WWII it provided pre-service training to about 100,000 personnel joining the Royal Air Force.

No longer a pre-service training Organisation the ACO is a Premier Uniformed Youth Organisation with some 45,000 cadets and 10,000 volunteer staff.

Present

The ACO Syllabus of Training provides cadets with opportunities to learn about aviation subjects as well as providing experiences that allow young people to develop personal and team skills.

Cumbria and West Lancashire Wing (with 16 units in Lancashire), has about 800 cadets supported by about 200 volunteer staff and civilian committee members.  All units participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DoE) scheme, with cadets gaining over 100 awards each year.

In addition to the DoE scheme, cadets have visited Norway, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Canada and Israel as well as undertaking Gliding, Hang Gliding, Microlite Flying and Parachute courses.  There are also opportunities to undertake mountain walking, mountain biking, canoeing, abseiling and rock climbing or other adventurous pursuits.