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Our Training Program

The Royal Canadian Air Cadet program consists of a local training program and a summer training program. The local program is delivered from September to June and is made up of mandatory and optional training programs. Our summer training program is an intensive-format training program where cadets get the opportunity to focus on one particular area of interest.

Mandatory Program

Every Cadet is required to complete a mandatory training program that is made up of 5 distinct training levels. Each level consists of a variety of training subjects. Our mandatory training program consists of 1 evening training session per week from September to June and approximately 10-15 days of training on weekends. Our Cadets complete training in the following subjects:

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  • Citizenship;

  • Community Service;

  • Drill and Ceremonial;

  • General Cadet Knowledge;

  • Leadership;

  • Instructional Techniques;

  • Marksmanship;

  • Space Exploration;

  • Meteorology;

  • Principles of Flight;

  • Aerodrome Operations;

  • Aircraft Maintenance and Manufacturing;

  • Canadian Armed Forces Familiarization;

  • Wilderness Survival;

  • Recreational Sports;

  • Personal Fitness and Healthy Living;

  • Navigation; and

  • Positive Social Relations for Youth.

Optional Program

Our Squadron has a variety of optional training opportunities that cadets can take part in. These opportunities, while optional, do require the cadet to make a commitment to regular attend activities. The following optional activities run throughout the year, at various times and on various days of the week.

Military Music - Band

Cadets interested in learning to play a musical instrument, or who already know how to play, can join our joint military band with Escadron 621. Cadets will learn music theory, refine playing abilities and have the opportunity to participate in regional workshops, competitions and perform at local events (like Remembrance Day). Practices are on Saturdays from 0900 hours – 1200 hours at the Saint-Laurent Centre des Loisirs located at 1375 rue Grenet.

Precision Drill Team

The Precision Drill Team is an opportunity for cadets to refine their skills in military drill and to learn new skills through advanced drill movements and routines. Cadets practice a compulsory routine and develop a custom silent routine (where no commands are called). The team competes at a regional competition against over 20 Air Cadet Squadrons. The drill team meets on Thursdays from 1900 hours – 2100 hours at the Squadron Headquarters.

Ground School (Flying Scholarship Programs)

The Ground School program is designed to give cadets a greater interest and knowledge of meteorology, principles of flight, airport operations and other necessary information in order to prepare for the mandatory provincial exams used during the Glider Pilot and Power Pilot Scholarship selection. Cadets who want to become Glider or Power Pilots must attend ground school. The Ground School meets on Thursdays from 1900 hours – 2100 hours at the Squadron Headquarters.

Effective Speaking

In the Air Cadet program, we use words such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline, self-confidence and good citizenship. Cadets who participate in the effective speaking program will learn all of these things. The skills they learn here will help them immeasurably in other areas of their life as well, whether they are making class presentations in secondary school, or later, interviewing for admission to professional faculties at universities, making presentations to colleagues at work, leading volunteer organizations, running for public office. The effective speaking program meets once a month. The dates and times for this activity are determined by the Training Officer and are published in Monthly Routine Orders.

Summer Training

Each summer some 19,000 Cadets from across Canada have the opportunity to attend summer training courses during July and August. These courses are designed to provide instruction and opportunities to develop advanced knowledge and skills in specialized activities, to prepare cadets to become instructors and leaders for these activities and to provide further opportunities to employ the general knowledge and skills obtained through the squadron training program. Courses range from 2 - 7 weeks in length and include:

 

  • General Training;

  • Basic Survival;

  • Basic Drill and Ceremonial;

  • Basic Aviation;

  • Basic Aviation Technology and Aerospace;

  • Basic Musician;

  • Basic Sports and Fitness;

  • Advanced Aviation;

  • Intermediate Musician;

  • Advanced Musician;

  • Sports and Fitness Instructor;

  • Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor;

  • Survival Instructor;

  • Drill and Ceremonial Instructor;

  • Advanced Aviation – Airport Operations;

  • Advanced Aviation – Aircraft Maintenance;

  • Advanced Aerospace;

  • Glider Pilot Scholarship;

  • Power Pilot Scholarship;

  • International Air Cadet Exchange; and

  • Staff Cadet Employment.

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DISCLAIMER

This is the official website of the 588 Eric Simms Squadron Sponsoring Committee, the civilian sponsor of 588 Eric Simms Squadron. This is not a Canadian Forces website. These pages are not intended to be, nor do they represent in any way, official comments, statistics, or opinions of the Department of National Defence or the Air Cadet League of Canada. These pages are not provided, endorsed, sponsored or approved by the Department of National Defence or the Air Cadet League of Canada.

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