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ClubRoyal Air Force Air Cadets

RAF Air Cadets: join a local squadron (ages 12 to 17)

The RAF Air Cadets is a youth organisation with squadrons across the UK where young people can try flying, expeditions, target shooting and cyber skills. You join through your local squadron, with a short form, a visit and an interview with the Officer Commanding. Some squadrons take new members straight away and others have waiting lists and set intake dates.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
Royal Air Force Air Cadets[1]
Who it’s for
Aged between 12 and 17, and in Year 8 or above in England and Wales, or Year 9 in Northern Ireland. Cadets can stay until they are 20 but must be within these age brackets when they join.[2]
Entry
Students apply themselves
Worth
Weekly squadron evenings and activities including flying, expeditions, target shooting and cyber skills, plus skills and confidence for education or a career in the Services or elsewhere.[3]
Cost
There's a small subscription to cover the running costs which is usually a few pounds per week (uniform is free; footwear at your own cost)[4]
Year groups
Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, Year 13
Where
UK-wide (Local squadrons across the UK)
Format
In person

Sources

4 sources

  1. Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    Joining Step By Step | Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    Would you like to experience what it’s like to fly a plane, take part in expeditions, practice target shooting or boost your cyber skills?

    Checked 24 October 2026

  2. Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    Joining Step By Step | Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    Cadets must also be in Year 8 or above in England and Wales, or Year 9 in Northern Ireland.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  3. Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    Joining Step By Step | Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    There are 40,000 RAF Air Cadets all across the UK.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  4. Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    Being a Cadet | Royal Air Force Air Cadets

    small subscription to cover the running costs which is usually a few pounds per week

    Checked 24 October 2026

Details checked by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

Apply any time

Ongoing; each squadron sets its own intake dates

Apply on raf.mod.uk (opens in a new tab)

More club opportunities

All opportunities

BMFA model aircraft and drone clubs (youth membership and free trial flight)

Apply any time

ClubBritish Model Flying Association (BMFA)

The BMFA is the national governing body for model flying, with more than 750 affiliated clubs across the UK. Teenagers can join as a youth member for £20 and ask for a free trial flight with an instructor at a nearby club. It is a practical route into aerodynamics, electronics and drone building.

Worth
Hands-on aerodynamics, electronics and build skills through a national governing body with local clubs and instructors.
Who
Under 18s who want to build and fly model aircraft or drones through a local affiliated club. Under 18s need a parent or guardian to complete the trial flight form and attend.
Entry
Students or a school can enter
When
Join any time. 2026 membership expires 31 December 2026.

Visit bmfa.org (opens in a new tab)Details: BMFA model aircraft and drone clubs (youth membership and free trial flight)

Industrial Cadets school programmes: Challenger, Bronze and Gold Mentored Projects

Apply any time

ClubEngineering Development Trust (EDT) / Industrial Cadets

Schools can enquire to run Industrial Cadets STEM experiences and mentored industry projects for their students. Challenger Experiences are delivered in school for Years 5 to 10, the Bronze Mentored Project is a 12-week project for Years 8 and 9, and the Gold Mentored Project is a 50-hour project for Year 12. Students who complete a programme earn a nationally recognised Industrial Cadets award.

Worth
An Industrial Cadets award (Challenger, Bronze or Gold level), and for the mentored projects a mentor from a partner company, career insight and a nationally recognised award for applications.
Who
Challenger Experiences: Years 5-10 / P5-S3 (aged 12+ per the page). Bronze Mentored Project: Year 8-9 / S2. Gold Mentored Project: Year 12 / S5-6. A teacher or school enquires; students do not apply alone.
Entry
A teacher or school enters
When
Schools enquire at any time; no deadline published on the page

Visit etrust.org.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Industrial Cadets school programmes: Challenger, Bronze and Gold Mentored Projects

National Saturday Club: Science and Engineering clubs

Apply any time

ClubNational Saturday Club

Free weekly Saturday clubs for 13 to 16 year olds, hosted at universities and colleges, with Science and Engineering one of the subjects. Students find a local club on the map and register.

Cost
Free to attend. Travel is not paid for (not rechecked).
Who
Young people aged 13 to 16 of all abilities.
Entry
Students apply themselves
When
Each club sets its own timing, and some are closed for the current year. No general deadline.

Visit saturday-club.org (opens in a new tab)Details: National Saturday Club: Science and Engineering clubs