The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organization, which alos includes the CCF(RAF section) . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence and RAF. The ATC has regular RAF Officer serve as Commandant Air Cadets, currently this is Air Commodore Ian R W Stewart, BSc FRAeS RAF.
Above: Air Commodore Ian R W Stewart
The enrollment age for the Air Training Corps is 13 years and 3 months, however cadets can join at the age of 13, and enter as Junior Cadets (Probationers). When the cadet reaches the age of 18 they become "Instructor Cadets" and are subjected to the same regulations as adult members of staff (including duty of care responsibilities). All Cadet Service ends on the 20th Birthday of the Cadet at the latest. They then become eligible to apply for service as Adult Staff.
Our forerunner, the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC), became officially known as the Air Training Corps on February 5th 1941 when it was was established by King George VI. He very kindly agreed to act as the Air Commodore-in-Chief, and issued a Royal Warrant setting out the Corps' aims. Today the Air commodore-in-cheif is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburugh.
The ATC crest was designed, and once approved by the King George VI, it was published in August 1941. The motto VENTURE ADVENTURE, devised by Air Commodore Chamier, (known as the father of the air cadet movement he was one of the founders of ATC) was adopted by the ATC and incorporated into the crest.
Since Air Training Corps was founded, though there have been many changes, the organisations aims have remained very similar:
The Aims of the Air Training Corps as set out in the Royal Warrant
It should be noted that a number of the ATC members do go on to join the Royal Air Force or other armed services. However the ATC is not set up as a recruiting organisation, the value of the ATC is also widely recognised, and valued, within civillian life.
As a member of the ATC you will get the oppurtunity to get involved with countless activities, below is a small taster.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) -The Air Training Corps is the single largest operating authority of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award system and celebrated its 50th year of providing this opportunity to its cadets in 2006. As well as being nothing but fun throughout, this award is well respected by employers and college/university admission tutors. It rewards adventure and and is likely to give you the chance to have many unforgettable experiences. More young people achieve this award in the ATC than any 
other organisation.
Flying - The ATC is the most unique out of all the cadet forces as it offers it's cadets opportunities to fly in light aircraft, gliders as well as other RAF and civil aircraft. Cadets can take part in regular flights in the Grob Tutor at one of 12 Air Experience Flights (AEFs) around the UK. These flights give cadets experiance in flying planes, and occasionally doing aerobatics..A few cadets have also had the opportunity to fly in a variety of other aircraft including fast jets and helicopters ect.In general, every cadet will be given opportunities to fly during their time as an active member of an ATC. Cadets at age 18 and onwards can also apply for a Flying Scholarship, wich will considerably enhance their path towards the completion of a National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL).
Gliding - Cadets can also undertake elementary flying training at a Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) in Air Cadet Gliders. The staff are all qualified service gliding instructors. Gliding initially consists of three one day Gliding Induction Courses, GIC 1,2 & 3. Each GIC consists of learning about controlling the aircraft in one of the three axes of flight. GIC 1 is pitch, GIC 2 is roll and GIC 3 is yaw and a demonstration of stalled flight. A VGS will either fly the winch-launched Viking T Mk1 glider or the Vigilant T Mk1 self-launched motorglider. At age 16 onwards, cadets can apply for gliding scholarships, which are similar to flying scholarships, but do not count towards a NPPL.
Camps - As an Air Cadet you will have the oppurtunity to stay at RAF stations on week long camps during the easter and summer holidays. As well as seeing first hand what life is like in the RAF on section visits, you may get the oppurtunity to do a short work experience placement. As well as camps to UK bases, we also go overseas to Cyprus and Germany. Infact, 4 of our own cadets have been sent abroad this year.
Sports - In the ATC you will get involved in physical activities such as; football, netball, athletics, crosscountry, swimming and many more. if you show talent can be selected to represent the Wing, Region or the Corps in competitive matches. From this cadets are awarded wing, regional or corps Blues. Sports is a good way to win medals and meet new friends, and old friends from camps.
Drill- All ATC squadrons practice drill as a means of instilling discipline and teamwork and a means for Officers and NCOs to develop the ability to command and control. It is also used in formal parades, for moving around military bases and moving cadets in a smart, uniform and military like manner.
Marksmanship - Cadets at all levels of the Air Training Corps have the opportunity to participate in the sport of rifle shooting. You will feel what its like to fire real weapons in a completely safe atomosphere. Cadets have the opportunity of firing a variety of rifles on firing ranges. Cadets first train with and fire either the Lee-Enfield No.8 .22 rifle or .177 air rifles. They can then progress to the L98A1 CGP, a manually operated variant of the 5.56 mm L85A1. The 7.62 mm Parker Hale L81A2 Cadet Target Rifle is also used at long ranges for competition shooting. the yearly Inter-Service Cadet Rifle Meet at Bisley, the home of UK shooting The Top 100 Cadets in the Bisley competition are awarded with the prestigious "Cadet 100" marksman award.