Air Training Corps (AIRTC)/ AAFC Alumni
I didn't do any bush camps but I do remember the gliding camps at Narromine. September sleeping in the WW2 huts in Dubbo was also a fond memory. The first camp was a famil course doing 1 flight a day and spending the rest of the time on the bus. The second one was a first solo course doing 4 flights a day with the last flight being a solo. One of the cadets got all out of shape in the Blanik and clipped the wing of a Janus on his solo. Today he would have been grounded pending a psychological assesment but then he was put back in and given another go!
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Well all I can say is that I was an AIRTC cadet at 17 flight vic squadron. I did 6 years in the RAAF (rarely air Bourne after four) and finished as a bitter twisted angry young man. Absolutely hated it! Would have been better of robing a bank and doing time. Didn't give me much of a start in flying, I had to do it all of my own back with out any help at all from the RAAF or the AIRTC. But stuff all of them I now fly around Africa dodge elephants and hipposon the runway. Top job. In short yes I hate RAAF and yes I am bitter about the time in my life the RAAF wasted and the lies I was told at recruiting. And yes I was not the model airman but I had no reason to be.
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I was in the AIRTC and I had a great time in the early eighties. I joined the RAAF in November 1988 until April 1998.I was a Airframe Fitter/ Aircraft technician. I enjoyed both.
And yes I was not the model airman but I had no reason to be.
Keg - I've registered but heard nothing further for a number of months. Are things going to kick a long a bit faster soon?
Cheers
Tibbsy
Ah, Camden... did my powered flying course there, soloed after Greg Ferster just told me to pull off the TWY and jumped out, saying 'off you go, just do a couple of circuits and come back'. Nothing will ever beat that feeling of my first solo climb-out at about 8am on a sunny summer morning.
Greg just pre-dated me at 3 flight and I got to know him GAing around Camden.
Another great guy taken from us too early.
Nunc est bibendum
Thread Starter
Tibbsy, I'm not sure what is happening with the alumni from here. My intent was to advertise it and help it gain critical mass but beyond that, I don't know what's planned.
I'm considering offering my services to the CDR to assist but indeed to think that through a bit more. I'm not sure whether I want to revisit the AAFC just yet.
I'm considering offering my services to the CDR to assist but indeed to think that through a bit more. I'm not sure whether I want to revisit the AAFC just yet.
I'm not sure whether I want to revisit the AAFC just yet.
I really enjoyed my time as a cadet but dealing with the adults who are only in the organisation for their own ego is what has kept me away from the organisation for the last couple of decades.
I hope the alumni organisation offers an alternative means of providing assistance.
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This is a great idea Keg, I have just registered. The AAFC was a key factor in helping me learn to fly and many cadets I have since taught.
I do miss the EFTC camps at YCUN with 716 FLT.
I do miss the EFTC camps at YCUN with 716 FLT.
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Hat fur felt? Probably sun protection reasons - always wanted one when I was in the AIRTC but never had the money on camps when we had an opportunity to buy them. Still "bashing" your giggle cap helped fill idle time during camps or bivouacs.
Nunc est bibendum
Thread Starter
Yep. OHS won the day on that one. Actually much more expensive than a garrison cap. Harder to get the right sizes for cadets too. It's both every day wear and ceremonial dress.
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Just on the subject anyone remember this Fred Valentic who
disappeared over Bass Straight in a 182(?) during the 70s?
Made big news as he transmitted he was being sucked up by
a UFO.
I recall it was mentioned he was a member of the AirTC (just
after it was renamed from ATC). After a bit of digging it was
stated he was a LAC at 16 Flight South Melbourne.
Did they ever find him or his shark-bitten bones?
BTW what the hell is a CUO? Cnut Under Officer like a WOD?
disappeared over Bass Straight in a 182(?) during the 70s?
Made big news as he transmitted he was being sucked up by
a UFO.
I recall it was mentioned he was a member of the AirTC (just
after it was renamed from ATC). After a bit of digging it was
stated he was a LAC at 16 Flight South Melbourne.
Did they ever find him or his shark-bitten bones?
BTW what the hell is a CUO? Cnut Under Officer like a WOD?
Nunc est bibendum
Thread Starter
Slasher, CUO- Cadet Under Officer. Basically the king of the cadet ranks.
Cadet- CDT
Leading Cadet- LCDT
Cadet Corporal- CCPL
Cadet Sergeant- CSGT
Cadet Flight Sergeant- CFSGT
Cadet Warrant Officer- CWOFF
Cadet Under Officer- CUO
At good squadrons (flights back in the old days), the CUO essentially ran the SQN under supervision of staff. It was a cadet management position. Obviously it's a bit more nuanced than that.
The Cadet Warrant Officer was normally the WOD type role at the SQN. Some SQNs used an adult staff member in the position (AC-CPL normally) but I preferred using a CWOFF in the role being mentored by a junior staff member who officially held no title.
Cadet- CDT
Leading Cadet- LCDT
Cadet Corporal- CCPL
Cadet Sergeant- CSGT
Cadet Flight Sergeant- CFSGT
Cadet Warrant Officer- CWOFF
Cadet Under Officer- CUO
At good squadrons (flights back in the old days), the CUO essentially ran the SQN under supervision of staff. It was a cadet management position. Obviously it's a bit more nuanced than that.
The Cadet Warrant Officer was normally the WOD type role at the SQN. Some SQNs used an adult staff member in the position (AC-CPL normally) but I preferred using a CWOFF in the role being mentored by a junior staff member who officially held no title.
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Our flight was a little odd I think in that we promoted as soon as the person qualified for the rank, i.e you pass a promotion course, the application for promotion goes in the next week, a few weeks later a round of promotions goes through.
Ended up in the odd situation of having at one time I think one CUO, four CDTFSGT, five CDTSGT, two CDTCPL and 35 CDTs. At that point it descended into nepotism with a clique of NCOs running the show and those on the outside effectively treated like junior NCOs, even though they were the same or even higher ranks. The poor CPLs constantly were getting countermanded by the next SNCO that walked up to them, it was impossible to form a parade properly because there was no real assigned positions and the SNCOs could not fall into the ranks.
Still - I loved having those chevrons on my arm - they just felt right.
Ended up in the odd situation of having at one time I think one CUO, four CDTFSGT, five CDTSGT, two CDTCPL and 35 CDTs. At that point it descended into nepotism with a clique of NCOs running the show and those on the outside effectively treated like junior NCOs, even though they were the same or even higher ranks. The poor CPLs constantly were getting countermanded by the next SNCO that walked up to them, it was impossible to form a parade properly because there was no real assigned positions and the SNCOs could not fall into the ranks.
Still - I loved having those chevrons on my arm - they just felt right.
Nunc est bibendum
Thread Starter
A long time between updates from this mob. Perhaps this will help a bit?
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UPDATE - 6 JUNE 2012
It is now just over a year since ATC/AIRTC/AAFC Alumni project was launched. The initial target was 1000 Registrants and while that has not been reached, more than 600 former cadets and staff have expressed their interest in being part of an Alumni. With such an impressive response the AAFC National Council has decided that number was sufficient to justify proceeding with a Request for Tender (RFT) to industry for the on-line administrative support for the Alumni.
The RFT was distributed to a small number of organisations that have experience in this, or similar, activities. The responses were received on 01 June 2012 and will be evaluated by the Working Party. Hopefully these responses will allow the AAFC National Council to pursue the full-time on-line support for the Alumni during the third quarter of 2012.While the AAFC National Council will be funding the initial cost of establishing the on-line support system, it is expected that in the longer term the Alumni will need to become self-sufficient to survive.
Further advice on the on-line aspect of the Alumni development will be provided as the situation becomes clearer. However, it has become apparent that for the on-line system to function effectively there will be a need for a small number of volunteers across Australia to act as points of contact between the Working Group and the various AAFC Wings at a local level, in order to get timely information about AAFC activities that may be of interest to the Alumni. If you would be interested in assisting in such a role please contact the Working Group at: [email protected]
Finally, please keep spreading the word about the Alumni. Out of the 40,000 or so who have worn the uniform of the Australian Air Cadets since the organisation began 70 years ago, there must be many more former members around the country who have yet to hear about the proposed Alumni Association.
Regards,
Alumni Advisory Group
It is now just over a year since ATC/AIRTC/AAFC Alumni project was launched. The initial target was 1000 Registrants and while that has not been reached, more than 600 former cadets and staff have expressed their interest in being part of an Alumni. With such an impressive response the AAFC National Council has decided that number was sufficient to justify proceeding with a Request for Tender (RFT) to industry for the on-line administrative support for the Alumni.
The RFT was distributed to a small number of organisations that have experience in this, or similar, activities. The responses were received on 01 June 2012 and will be evaluated by the Working Party. Hopefully these responses will allow the AAFC National Council to pursue the full-time on-line support for the Alumni during the third quarter of 2012.While the AAFC National Council will be funding the initial cost of establishing the on-line support system, it is expected that in the longer term the Alumni will need to become self-sufficient to survive.
Further advice on the on-line aspect of the Alumni development will be provided as the situation becomes clearer. However, it has become apparent that for the on-line system to function effectively there will be a need for a small number of volunteers across Australia to act as points of contact between the Working Group and the various AAFC Wings at a local level, in order to get timely information about AAFC activities that may be of interest to the Alumni. If you would be interested in assisting in such a role please contact the Working Group at: [email protected]
Finally, please keep spreading the word about the Alumni. Out of the 40,000 or so who have worn the uniform of the Australian Air Cadets since the organisation began 70 years ago, there must be many more former members around the country who have yet to hear about the proposed Alumni Association.
Regards,
Alumni Advisory Group
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Just on the subject anyone remember this Fred Valentic who
disappeared over Bass Straight in a 182(?) during the 70s?
Made big news as he transmitted he was being sucked up by
a UFO.
disappeared over Bass Straight in a 182(?) during the 70s?
Made big news as he transmitted he was being sucked up by
a UFO.
He was going to accompany Fred on that flight but couldn't for some reason.