417 (City of Bayside) Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets

The Aim of the Australian Air Force Cadets is:

• To give cadets a foundation of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) knowledge and discipline
• To develop qualities of leadership, self-reliance and initiative
• To develop character and good citizenship in the widest sense
• To develop an interest in the RAAF and aviation generally
• To instill a knowledge of aviation history, and
• To encourage cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life.

As a cadet, you’ll be offered inspiring and challenging military-like experiences. You will learn valuable life and work skills that may open up  new possibilities, opportunities and career options.

 As a cadet you will:

• Be part of a team and gain team building skills
• Develop leadership and survival skills
• Make new friends and have fun
• Experience challenges
• Learn to take responsibility
• Take part in physical education activities.

As a cadet you’ll learn about:

• Aviation Leadership
• Self-discipline
• Safe weapons handling
• Fieldcraft First aid Drill and
• ceremonial
• Communications and navigation skills
• Band activities.
• Learn about aviation through flying, gliding, aerospace studies, communications and navigation, air traffic control, aeromodelling, aircraft engineering, orienteering and map reading. 

Cadets will also undertake weekend and school holiday activities such as (but not limited to):

• General Skills Training,
• Flying Training,
• Leadership Training,
• Field Training.

Requirements to become a cadet

• Be at least 12 years of age and turning 13 or older in the year of acceptance;
• Be enrolled in high school education (minimum year 7) in the year of acceptance;
• Not attained the age of 16 years;
• Have parental or guardian permission to volunteer as a cadet in the AAFC;
• Be a person of ordinarily resident in Australia
• Present to their Commanding Officer (CO) a statement signed by their parent or guardian stating the applicant has physical capability to participate in the AAFC program and identify any known limitations (including allergies) to assist the CO to determine suitability for acceptance. If required by the CO, the candidate must undergo a medical examination at parent/guardian expense; 
• Provide written parental or guardian permission for a qualified medical practitioner to anaesthetise and operate on the cadet in an emergency;
• Not be a member of either the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) or the Australian Army Cadets (AAC), unless such a membership is compulsory;
• Not be a Defence member; and
• Make a commitment in writing that they have read and agree to abide by the ADFC Youth Values and Code of Conduct Statement

If you would like to join the AAFC Visit 417 (City of Bayside) Squadron on Monday evenings between 6:30pm and 8:30pm; Call us at 0423 318 908; Email us at admino.417sqn@airforcecadets.gov.au or; our website and application process can be found at https://www.cadetnet.gov.au/ Or regular parade nights run every Monday of the school term at 5:45pm-9:45pm, along with school holiday and occasional weekend activities.