|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| History of Royal Canadian Air Cadets | |||||||
| Order in Council PC 6647 was passed November 11, 1940. This order authorized the formation of the Air Cadet League (ACL) of Canada and set forth responsibilities of the civilian body and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). On April 9, 1941, the ACL was granted a Dominion Charter authorizing it to operate as a charitable, non-profit corporation. | |||||||
| Under authority of the National Defence Act, Section 46, the Canadian Forces (CF) is involved, together with the Air Cadet League of Canada, in operating and supporting a cadet movement for both male and female cadets across Canada. | |||||||
| The first Air Cadet Squadron was formed in Montreal, PQ and was named Number 4 De Maisonneuve. By the end of 1941, there were 79 squadrons affiliated across the country. In September 1944, the movement reached its peak wartime strength of 374 squadrons, over 29,000 cadets, 1,750 officers and instructors, and another 2,000 civilians who supplied financial and other support. | |||||||
| Since the end of the war, several milestones have been achieved, including the following: 1946: The Flying Scholarship Program This program currently trains 250 cadets each year to Transport Canada Private Licence standards and has graduated over 13,000 pilots since its inception. 1947: The beginning of the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) program Cadets from across Canada participate in this cultural exchange with cadets from several countries. 1965: The beginning of the Air Cadet Gliding Program (ACGP) Started by the ACL, DND assumed full program control in 1979. The program provides over 25,000 familiarization flights to air cadets annually and graduates 320 glider pilots each year to support the ACGP. The ACL currently provide 57 gliders and 28 towplanes in support of the program. 1975: Female cadets officially accepted 1990: The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Banner approved 1993: Air Cadets return to the traditional blue uniform 1995: 30th anniversary of the ACGP and celebration of over 1 000,000 glider flights 1996: Celebration of 50 years of Air Cadet Flying Training | |||||||