Band
The 161 band trains on Friday evenings from 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury.
Biathlon
Cadet biathletes participate in a series of competitions at the local level that culminate in provincial / territorial competitions and an annual National or Regional Cadet Biathlon Championship.
Pursuit of Excellence – Cadet Biathlon Program
- promotes physical fitness;
- promotes sportsmanship, sport etiquette and fair play;
- develops marksmanship skills;
- provides personal challenge and achievement opportunities;
- builds self-esteem
A Golden Opportunity
Our squadron has long reaped the benefits of a competitive biathlon program at the local, zone, provincial and national levels. Our team has attended the national competition twice. Whether you are aiming for success or achievement in biathlon, physical fitness or just participating in an exciting sport – there are golden opportunities available through cadet biathlon.
Ski for Free
- Training is offered and supervised by qualified biathlon coaches;
- Training material (skis, boots, poles and rifles) may be provided for each cadet participating in the championship series;
- No membership fee.
The 161 biathlon team trains on Sunday evenings from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury. Cadets often go skiing on weekends at Elmhurst Outdoors during the winter season when conditions allow.
Drill Team
The squadron drill team is a group of cadets led by a drill team officer and a cadet drill team commander. Cadets from various training levels conduct a multitude of drill movements ranging from basic to advancde levels. Cadets in the drill team are held to a high standard of drill, dress, and deportment. Team members practice a compulsory (lead by voice commands) and silent drill routine. Cadets participate in the NB/PEI Provincial Drill Competition each year. and perform their sequence at the Annual Ceremonial Review.
The 161 drill team trains on Friday evenings from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury.
Effective Speaking
Each year the squadron offers a unit effective speaking competition. The winner of this competition has the opportunity to participate in the provincial competition, hosted by the Air Cadet League. Our squadron has had multiple provincial winners advance to the national competition one of which placed first nationally.
Aims of the Effective Speaking Program:
1. To provide an opportunity for Air Cadets to increase their self confidence; and increase their ability to reason, organize and express ideas;
2. To promote the citizenship component of local squadron training;
3. To provide a focus at the Local, Regional/Wing, Provincial/Territorial, and National levels, to promote and encourage Air Cadets to participate in an optional activity that will provide them with an opportunity to acquire effective speaking skills through instruction and practice in a structured and competitive environment;
4. To increase public awareness regarding the citizenship and leadership aspects of the Air Cadet program at the national, provincial and local levels.
Information about this year’s contest including speech topics, length, and other criteria can be found here on the Air Cadet League of Canada Website.
Flight Simulation
A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and the environment in which it flies. Cadets interested in the aviation aspect of the Air Cadet Program have the option of using the squadron’s flight simulator (Microsoft Flight Simulator) to practice flight controls, the effects of other aircraft systems, and how the aircraft reacts to external factors such as air density, turbulence, wind shear, clouds, precipitation, etc. A flight instructor is often available to guide cadets through the flight planning process.
Flight simulation takes place on Sunday evenings from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury.
Ground School
The Ground School (Flying Scholarship) program is provided to offer academic training to interested Air Cadets who wish to compete for selection for the Glider Scholarship Scholarship or the Power Scholarship Scholarship. Topics include aircraft operations, air law, meteorology, navigation, interview techniques and general information on the aviation industry. The training is intensive and aims to prepare cadets for the entrance exams. It is recommended for cadets in training levels three or higher.
Air Cadet Gliding Program.
The Air Cadet Gliding Program is a youth gliding program operated by the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Air Cadet League of Canada for the benefit of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
The program is managed by CF officers (most of whom are CIC officers), and is the largest producer of glider pilots in Canada. Cadets age 16-18 are trained at the five summer Regional Gliding Schools, and about 320 cadets receive their glider pilot licence each year and approximately 250 receive their private pilot licence.
Outside of the Regional Gliding Schools, the local headquarters provide the opportunity for cadets to participate in gliding familiarization flying during the spring and fall — approximately 22000 flights are completed. Senior cadets that have completed the Air Cadet Gliding Program also perform staff duties at glider familiarization flying and at the summer training program.
Glider Pilot Scholarship
T
he Glider Pilot Scholarship (GPS) program is a six-week course with an intensive program of ground school and in-flight glider pilot training. Cadets who successfully complete their flight test and Transport Canada written exam will qualify for a glider pilot licence and be awarded Air Cadet Glider Pilot Wings. The program is also responsible for producing the largest number of glider pilots within Canada. On average, the program produces 320 glider pilots annually. Upon attaining their licences, these pilots join their local headquarters to provide other cadets with glider familiarization flying during the spring and fall seasons.
Cadets in Atlantic Canada all attend the following Regional Gliding School.
Regional Gliding School (Atlantic) – RGS(A) – Debert, NS
Power Pilot Scholarship
The Power Pilot Scho
larship (PPS) program is a seven-week course that allows cadets to get their private pilot licence and their Air Cadet Power Pilot Wings. A goal for many cadets within the program is to secure a private pilot licence prior to the age of 19. Cadets who are aged 17–18 apply and are selected to write an exam and interview for the prestigious scholarship. The course provides cadets with both ground school training and in-flight instruction at the various flight centres across Canada. Cadets who have been successful within the program have integrated themselves with commercial airlines, the Canadian Forces, various courier and charter companies, and have also gone on to become instructors at various flight schools. Overall, this opportunity to attain a private pilots’ licence remains as one of the most prestigious and attractive opportunities available within the Air Cadet program.
Cadets in Atlantic Canada all attend one of the following Flight Training Schools.
Moncton Flight Centre – Moncton, NB
Greenwood Flying Club – Greenwood, NS
Gander Flight Training – Gander, NF
Ground School training takes place on Monday evenings from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at Simonds High School (527 Squadron Office). This is a joint activity with 527 Simonds RCACS.
Marksmanship
The Cadet Marksmanship Program is a challenging and competitive sports program accessible to all cadets. It develops skills through superior training and Olympic-style competition. This is why every year, thousands of cadets participate in this fun and rewarding program. Our cadets shoot the Daisy 853-C Air Rifle on a 10 m range under the supervision of a qualified Range Safety Officer.
Cadets have the opportunity to participate in a series of competitions at the local level that culminate in provincial/territorial competitions and an annual National Cadet Marksmanship Championship.
The marksmanship program:
- promote safe handling of rifles;
- build self-esteem and practice focus;
- promote sportsmanship, sport etiquette and self-discipline;
- develops high level of marksmanship technical skills;
- provide personal challenge and achievement opportunities.
Marksmanship takes place on Sunday evenings from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury.
Model Building
Cadets have the opportunity to learn to build model aircraft. All supplies are provided for the cadets. Each year a team of three cadets competes in a provincial model building competition. This competition requires cadets to build at least one Canadian model aircraft on a 1:48 scale as part of a diorama display. Cadets must also research the history of this aircraft and understand the role the aircraft played in Canada’s history.
Model building takes place on Sunday evenings from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury.
RC Flying
Cadets have the opportunity to fly light-weight remote control aircraft inside the armoury each Sunday evening. Cadets practice for a provincial competition. Each year one or two cadets are selected to attend the competition to represent the squadron.
RC Flying takes place on Sunday evenings from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Barrack Green Armoury.
Yearbook Committee
Cadets in levels three and higher have the opportunity to learn to take photos using the squadron camera or their own equipment. They then compile the images into an audio-visual display for the year.
