CASH-STRAPPED AIR CADETS STILL AMONG BEST ENTRY POINTS FOR AVIATION CAREER

摘要

For over 60 years, the Air Cadet League of Canada has played a key role in stocking the nation's cockpits by offering enthusiastic young men and women a basic grounding in airplanes and aircraft maintenance. What began as a World War II voluntary training ground to prepare teenagers for eventual service in the RCAF now flourishes as one of Canada's most successful youth programs. Within the first six months of being granted charitable, non-profit organization status in April 1941, 77 squadrons sprung up to train more than 14,000 cadets. Today there are 445 squadrons located in communities across Canada, training over 25,000 young Canadians (ages 12-19) for a career in aviation. It is estimated that one out of every five private pilots in Canada are ex-air cadets, and 63% of all commercial airline pilots got their start in the cadet movement. More recently the League has expanded its training to include Air Traffic Control (ATC) for cadets who have already earned their wings and want a broader perspective of air operations. Approximately 50% of graduates have the potential to become Nav Canada ATC trainees.