As a teenager, your first Air Experience Flight (AEF) as an Air Cadet can be a life changing experience.  For some it is the first time in an aircraft and for almost everyone it is there first time at the controls of a powerful machine, particularly one that overcomes gravity and operates in three dimensions.  It is an experience that opens a young persons mind to new horizons whether in terms of personal achievement or career aspirations in aviation, aerospace and in the services.  Our industries and the armed forces need people made of ‘the right stuff’, they are crucial to the United Kingdom in terms of global communication and standing, sustaining a high technology industrial base and credible defence capability and earning valuable export revenues in an increasingly competitive World and ensuring a secure environment for international commerce.

So why are the AEF and The Air Cadet Organisation so important?   The 13 AEF flights around the country are the core activity that makes the Air Cadets unique.  Hundreds of Thousands of boys and girls over decades have been afforded an experience that would otherwise simply not be available to them; the importance of the AEF flights should not be underestimated and remain an essential element of being an Air Cadet and each individual’s development.  The Air Cadet Organisation itself is growing and has expanded to 44,000 cadets and 10,000 volunteer staff.  Apart from such benefits as recruitment to aviation roles, the organisation generates well rounded citizens with life skills and community mindedness that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.  The Air Cadets and AEF’s have been fortunate to have the support of successive Chief’s of Air Staff and the Royal Air Force as a whole; in return the cadets voluntarily give huge support to RAF events and charities.

Whilst it is not known whether MoD funding of the AEF or Cadet Forces is under any threat at this stage, we are concerned and would argue that any cost benefit analysis would demonstrate that cadet forces are value for money and should be ring fenced to ensure that their raison d’être is not diminished.  It is clear that the Government will review all aspects of MoD spending but the Cadet Organisations are already lean and overwhelmingly supported by volunteers, the majority of funding for each cadet unit comes from the cadet’s families and local communities.  Hollowing out cadet corps and removing or reducing activities such as AEF’s that provide the focus for the cadets interests would be an unmitigated mistake.  It may be necessary for the Air League Council to call upon member’s support to lobby for future MoD cadet funding and particularly for the Air Cadets which the Air League founded over 70 years ago.  The Air Cadets is an evolving organisation that is setting increasingly higher standards for those seeking to make a difference for teenagers, young adults and staff.

To illustrate a parallel and importance of the AEF to the Air Cadet Organisation, the results from initial courses of The Air League Diversionary Flying Scheme proved the ‘point’.  The courses run in cooperation with NACRO, the mainly government funded crime reduction charity and the Air Cadet Organisation have overwhelmingly proved that aviation is a subject and opportunity that holds teenager’s attention.  NACRO has confirmed that attendance and completion of the courses has been unusually high.  So much so, that the scheme will now be rolled out across Scotland with SACRO, the Scottish equivalent.  Insights will soon report on the success of this scheme initiated by Council Member Eric Ward, but the ‘point’ being made is that aviation experience can help change and even turnaround lives.

In the meantime, the AEF face a different challenge, a change in regulations at short notice related to the maximum age of AEF pilots (now 65) on the 1st January 2010 has caused a sudden shortage of pilots.  As result, The Air League would like to put a call out to all RAF and former RAF pilots under the age of 65 to consider volunteering for the AEF.  If you know of RAF qualified pilots outside of the Air League, please pass on this message to likely candidates. The Air League believes that AEFs are a crucial focus for air cadets and an important element in the mix that creates motivated and confident air-minded citizens.