Throughout their ATC service, cadets learn about different aspects of aviation and other related subjects. Twice a year, after receiving expert instruction from Squadron staff, cadets sit a set of multiple choice exams. Passing these exams results in the award of a new classification and on completion of Leading Cadet and Staff Cadet levels, the award of BTEC qualifications, equivalent to GCSEs!
The classification structure works like this:
| You start as a Junior Cadet (upon joining the ATC) | |
| 1st Class Cadet Training Part 1 | The Air Training Corps | |
| Basic foot drill | |
Enrolment
You are now a 2nd Class Cadet | You are now officially an Air Cadet and can go gliding as well as taking part in lots of other activities! It will take you 4 weeks to get here. |
| 1st Class Cadet Training Part 2 | The Royal Air Force | |
| Airmanship 1 | |
| Basic Radio Communications | |
| Map Reading | You can now go Air Experience Flying! |
| Initial Expedition Training | |
| The History of Flight | |
| Heartstart (basic first aid training) | Not required to be awarded 1st Class Cadet classification but to be completed as soon as possible. |
| Initial Weapons Training |
| You are now a 1st Class Cadet | It will take you about 6 months to get here. |
| Leading Cadet Training | Principles of Flight | |
| Basic Navigation | |
| Airmanship 2 | |
| You are now a Leading Cadet | You now get a BTEC Award in Aviation Studies worth 1 GCSE at A-C grade! |
| Senior Cadet Training | Airframes | |
| Aircraft Handling | |
| You are now a Senior Cadet | |
| Staff Cadet Training Part 1 | Propulsion | |
| Operational Flying | |
| Staff Cadet Training Part 2 | Interview with a Wing Staff Officer | |
| You are now a Staff Cadet | You now get a BTEC Certificate in Aviation Studies worth 2 GCSEs at A-C grade! You wear a yellow lanyard on your uniform and help to teach other cadets. |
Although there are some classroom lessons it's not like school, so don't worry! There you might learn about volcanoes in geography or about the Romans in history. You're unlikely to ever stand on a volcano and even less likely to meet a Roman, but in the ATC you'll learn about aviation and then get to actually experience it! The lessons you'll have in the ATC will be interesting and enjoyable.