Join 94 Squadron

Royal Canadian Air Cadets participate in a variety of fun and challenging activities. There is something for everyone – no matter what their personal interests may be. The outdoor enthusiast will appreciate learning survival skills for flight crew. The athlete will appreciate physical education and recreation, including a variety of sporting activities like biathlon and Olympic-style marksmanship. The artists will find their niche in the music program. The curious will appreciate the hands-on activities such as building model rockets. The scholarly will appreciate an introduction to the various tools and technologies linked to aviation. The dreamers will appreciate the evolution of technology and the advancements of the aerospace era, including the importance of Canadian participation.

Most importantly, Air Cadets aids in developing knowledge of Canadian history and democracy. The cadet program focuses on social development, decision-making and leadership. As cadets acquire skills and knowledge, they pass it along to younger cadets.

Every cadet will have the chance to participate in flight activities, and some top senior cadets may even earn a scholarship to obtain their private pilot’s licence. Whether earning a glider pilot licence or private pilot licence, these cadets wear their wings with a pride rarely found in today’s youth.

Successful Air Cadets have graduated and moved on to take leadership roles in many fields of business and across society. Did you know that Chris Hadfield, heading up the space station, started as an Air Cadet? So, did Marc Garneau, first Canadian in outer space, and Maryse Carmichael, past Commanding Officer of the Snowbirds and the first woman in this role. The list of successful Canadians who began as Air Cadets is long and continues to fill up each year, from Canadian country singer George Canyon to former Prime Minister Joe Clark. Nearly all of them attribute much of their personal values and skills to their involvement as a young person in the Air Cadet program.

Today, there are more than 26,000 young Canadians participating in the Air Cadet program in Canada. Some are in year 1 and learning basics of flight, joining their first band or participating in a marksmanship competition. Others are in their final year and leading other Cadets as a Warrant Officer, can fly their own plane, and are being interviewed to participate in an International Exchange program in Australia. Our Air Cadets appreciate many of the experiences and skills they have been able to gain during their career. Especially true is the broad exposure to new challenges that each Cadet gets to face and experience, both as a member of a Squadron and as an individual Cadet. Learning new skills, becoming a leader of others, helping their community and gaining invaluable skills and discipline are some of the hallmark results that excite our Cadets and attract new youth every year.

Air Cadets are not part of the Canadian Forces. While a close and unique relationship exists with our veterans and the men and women who currently serve our country, Air Cadets is a civilian youth program that provides young people with many skills and experiences. There is no expectation to join the military…that’s a personal, voluntary decision that each Canadian citizen makes, and some Air Cadets also make.

At 94 Squadron, we meet every Wednesday night from 6:30-9:30PM at Newmarket High School. from September to June. Our training night consists of an opening parade, two 30 minute classes, a break, one 30 minute class and a closing parade. Air Cadet Training is divided into five proficiency levels, including on-the-job training for senior cadets in Level 5.

Summer training opportunities also exist for deserving cadets! Courses range on a variety of topics including aviation, drill & ceremonial, sports & fitness, marksmanship, survival and more!

Some of the courses offered to Air Cadets at the local level are:

• Aircraft Identification

• Aeronautical Facilities

• Principles of Flight

• Meteorology

• Propulsion

• General Cadet Knowledge

• Leadership

• Marksmanship

• Citizenship

• Drill

• Effective Speaking

• Radio Communication

• Aircrew Survival & Navigation

• Physical Fitness

• Instructional Techniques