Welcome to 540
Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a Canadian national youth program for persons aged
12 to 18. It is administered by the Canadian Forces and funded through the
Department of National Defense with additional support from the civilian Air
Cadet League of Canada. It was 1941 when the first air cadet squadron was raised
under this partnership for the purpose of training young men for World War Two.
The purpose has since changed to include focus on citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, and aviation - stimulating an interest in the activities of the Canadian Forces. In recent years there are approximately 25,000 Air Cadets in Canada. Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, it forms the largest federally-funded youth program in the country. Due to the gliding and flying scholarships offered to air cadets, one in five private pilots in Canada is an ex-air cadet and 67 percent of commercial and airline pilots began as air cadets.
Why should you join?
- Cadets offers Canadian youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills
- Obtain your glider and/or power license free of charge
- No cost to join, uniforms are loaned to you upon registration
- Opportunity to travel to various training centres in Canada
- Make friends for life!
