If you are the type of person who is up for a challenge, you could find yourself leading a squad in darkness to a rendezvous point with another team, plan and then execute your own operation, with the troop at your command! Or how about piloting your own aircraft. That's all in a day's work for an air cadet.

Dover Squadron has been up and running since 5th February 1941, parading on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Here you will learn the Royal Air Force ways of life, how they operate and what they do.

You have to opportunity to visit RAF stations and meet RAF personnel, you may even meet the world famous Red Arrows!

You will also get the chance to take control of an aircraft, pilot a glider and learn how to use a rifle.

A few times a year the cadets from our squadron (the chosen few) get to go flying. We go to RAF Wyton and fly with an experienced pilot in a Grob Tutor (below). You get a half hour slot usually depending on how many cadets there are that day. You learn how to wear and operate parachutes and the controls of the aircraft to how to fly upside down, take off and landing.

You can either choose to have a sightseeing adventure or do aerobatics it's up to you. You also will make some great new friends while waiting for your turn as you get to hang out and relax with the other cadets from different squadrons as well as your own.

Cdt Moore - "I have been flying twice both have been a really good time. It's worth the long trip up and back and is so much fun. On first time I picked to do the stunts unfortunately I even brought a present back with me. The next time was even better I even got to take control while the pilot helped me navigate around the area."

Cadets go gliding in two different gliders. The first is the Viking, a non-powered glider which uses a winch or another aircraft to get into the air, and then it's all downhill! Well, the aircraft comes back to earth anyway.

The Viking training takes place, usually, at Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) Kenley and you can train over a series of weekends, or a full week, and maybe even fly solo!

There first test you pass is your Blue wings, where you have flown yourself, but with an instructor present, and then you can go onto your Silver wings, which is your solo sight.

There is a chance, after this, to carry on and learn Advanced Gliding, where you learn to perform aerobatics in the glider!

"Gliding is Awesome, its so much fun. There is a lot to think about but you really can get your hands on. You learn how to aid others by holding the aircraft on preparation for flight, and how to control the aircraft yourself. When you go up on your own, the aircraft is yours, and there is no other feeling in the world like it. And after youÕve landed, you just want to go again and again and again!"

Whatever level you are as a cadet, you'll have the opportunity to try your hand at military skills and drills. That means rifle shooting and field craft.

In the Air Training Corps we use three different weapons. The No.8 .22 Bolt Action rifle, the L98 A2 and the L81 Target rifle.

You start off with the No.8 bolt action rifle, training how to hold it, fire it and generally use it. Then you get on to the range.

The normal range is 25m with the No.8 or the L98 A2. These rifles are very different as you can see below, one is dated from the second world war, and the L98 A2 is right up to date.

"Shooting is immense fun! The thrill of trying to be the best and beat your mates is exhilarating. It's something you can get your teeth into, as opposed to just writing stuff down. It's nervous at first, being tested, but after that it's brilliant!"

Coming soon!

History

Ranks

The Royal Air Force

The RAF operates 1,114 aircraft (2010) and, as of late 2009, had a total manpower strength of 44,300 regular, and 2,500 volunteers.

The RAF is the largest air force in the European Union, the second largest in NATO and fifth largest in the world.

The majority of the RAF's aircraft and personnel are based in the UK with many others serving on operations principally Afghanistan, the Middle East or at long-established overseas bases.

The Desert Rats

Coming soon!