What is 291 Blenheim Bomber Squadron and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets?
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a national youth organization for teens aged 12 to 18, sponsored and run by the Air Cadet League (a civilian organization) and the Department of National Defence. The organization is made up many training centres, gliding centres, and most importantly, the squadrons, of which every cadet is a part of. 291 Blenheim Bomber Squadron (is named after Bristol Blenheim Bomber which was a British light bomber aircraft designed that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War) is one of 450 Air Cadet squadrons across Canada. 291 Squadron is located in Blenheim Ontario and parade at the Blenheim District High School.
- For more information on the Cadet program,
visit the National Cadet Website
What do Air Cadets do?
Air Cadets in 291 Squadron meet once a week on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Blenheim District High School. While there, they undergo the standard classes that are part of the Air Cadet program. That is, aviation studies, citizenship, leadership, effective speaking, outdoor survival, drill, sports and more.
Additional Training in Survival, Cold Weather Camping, Marksmenship and flying are conducted on other scheduled nights throughout the year.
What are some of the extra activities that 291 Squadron does?
First of all, the squadron has several year-long teams, including drill team, and a range (shooting) team. We also have sports nights, ground school classes (prerequisite for glider/private pilot licenses), and much more. Just take a look around the website for a better idea.
Who can join Air Cadets?
Any Canadian citizen or legal resident in good health can join as early as 12 years of age, and can remain until they turn 19, the age at which they must retire.
How much is it going to cost me?
Air Cadets is sponsored by a civilian agency and the squadron raises its own money during the year by selling tags and lottery tickets. The Canadian Forces provides uniforms, training facilities and instructors, and thus, Air Cadets is FREE. There are some small fees for some trips, but these costs are kept minimal, and may be worked around if a need exists. Cadets will not be excluded from trips if they can't afford it.
Who teaches Air Cadets?
Air Cadet instructors are often past cadets themselves. They are members of the community and hold civilian occupations in areas such as business owners, police officers, medical persons, and school employees. Higher ranking air cadets are also instructors, as well as members of local military units.
Are there summer camps?
Summer courses are a very big part of Air Cadets, and are run every year in July and August. There are many different courses ranging from 2 to 7 weeks. Cadets are not required to attend these courses, but it is highly recommended. You can take everything from basic cadet courses to advanced technical training, and from leadership courses to aerospace studies and make great friends from all over Canada in the process! As with the rest of Air Cadets, summer courses are free. Eventually an experienced cadet can apply for staff positions for summer courses, and get pay equivalent to a full-time summer job.
Can I get my pilot's license?
Yes! Air Cadets offers two Transport Canada Pilot licenses, The Glider Pilot License (GPL) and the Private Pilot License (PPL). Scholarships are offered to air cadets in order for them to get their pilot licenses at various airfields and flying clubs around the province. The licenses are free through Air Cadets (the GPL normally costs $2000, while PPL normally costs around $8000), cadets just have to pay with their dedication and hard work in the squadron.
During the year, cadets with a glider license can fly at various cadet gliding centres around the province during weekends, and scholarships are offered to pay for continued flying when some cadets retire. In fact, over 60 percent of Canada's airline pilots got their start in air Cadets.
Do I have to join the military?
Air Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces, nor will they ever be asked to join. If you choose to join though, you will have a great advantage over other applicants (most high-ranking officers in the Canadian forces started off in the cadet program). However, you will never be required to serve with the military.
Do we travel?
Each summer, cadets from across Canada have the opportunity to enter in the exchange program to locations all over the world!
How do I join?
It's easy to join. All you need to do is come down to Blenheim District Highschool on any regular Tuesday training night after at 6:00 pm during the school year. If you'd like, you can follow a group of cadets around during their training and your parents are welcome to attend to watch and ask questions. To speed up the process you can download the enrolement documentation below.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE : AIR CADET APPLICATION
If you decide to join, you will need to fill out and hand in an application, along with a photocopy of your Ontario health card or other health insurance. You will also need to show proof of Canadian citizenship or legal resident status, and may need to show other documents to prove your age (such as a birth certificate or passport).
More Questions?
If you have more questions, e-mail 291.air@cadets.gc.ca or call the Sqn Cell at 519-809-5473. If you reach the voice mail, leave a message and someone will return your call.
