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Home Air Training Corps
ATC Information
The Air Training Corps is a youth organisation, affiliated to the Royal Air Force and committed to providing the best opportunities for adventure training, shooting, flying, sport and, above all, excitement.

The organisation owes its existence to Royal Air Force officer, Air Commodore J. A. Chamier. On retiring from the RAF in 1929, at the age of 50, his love of aviation and his tremendous capacity for hard work was such that following his retirement he became the Secretary-General of the Air League - an organisation made up of people who could see a bright future for aviation and who wanted to make the British public aware of its potential. As Europe began to tumble into war in the late 1930s, the idea of an aviation cadet corps began to form

As a result, in 1938, the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) was established. Its primary aim was to attract and train young men from all over the country who had an interest in aviation. However, due to the outbreak of WWII in 1939, the activities of the ADCC were severely restricted. Many ADCC instructors and squadron officers were called up into the regular armed services and buildings and training areas were commandeered by for war work.

Towards the end of 1940, as manpower shortages set in, the government began to realize the true value of the work done by the ADCC and agreed to take over its control. This resulted in many changes, and eventually brought about the birth of the present organisation, the Air Training Corps. This was formally established on the 5 February 1941, when King George the VI issued a Royal Warrant setting out the corps aims.

Within a month, the size of the old ADCC had virtually doubled to more than 400 squadrons, and after 12 months it was about 8 times as big. The new ATC badge was designed and once approved by the King, it was published in August, 1941.

The motto VENTURE ADVENTURE, devised by Air Commodore Chamier, was adopted by the ATC and incorporated into the badge, which together with the ATC Ensign, was approved by the King.

Today the Air Training Corps has three aims:

  • To promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.
  • To provide training which will be useful both in the services and civilian life.
  • To foster the spirit of adventure, and to develop the qualities of leadership and good citizenship.

More information on the Air Cadet Organisation can be found at  http://www.air-cadets.org