New Zealand Air Training Corps

The ATC is managed at a national level by the Commandant (usually a Regular Force Lieutenant-Colonel/Wing Commander/Commander), and his/her Staff at Defence Force Headquarters in Wellington. It is supported by the Air Training Corps Association of New Zealand (ATCANZ).

The country is divided into 3 areas, Northern (Northern half of the North Island), Central (Southern half of the North Island) and Southern (entire South Island). Each area has a NZCF Training and Support Unit, commanded by an Area Co-ordinator, with Advisors for Air Training Corps units.

Typical squadron organisation of an Air Training Corps unit in New Zealand.

Each unit is managed by the Cadet Unit Commander, in partnership with the unit's branch of the ATCANZ. A typical unit has between one and four officers filling various roles. The Cadet Unit Commander appoints all personnel in the unit to their positions. Each unit has an Adjutant, Training Officer, and Stores Officer. These positions are usually filled by a commissioned officer (officers can hold multiple positions if necessary). One or more of the positions may have assistants, the assistants are often junior officers or Senior NCOs.

Each unit also has a cadet NCO holding the position of Squadron Warrant Officer (who doesn't necessarily hold the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer). If the unit is large enough, each flight of cadets may have a Flight Sergeant. The Warrant Officer is normally responsible for supervising the NCOs in their various tasks, as a result, the Warrant Officer can skip the normal chain of command, enabling them to liaise directly with the Unit Commander.

How an individual unit is organised varies widely. A unit's organization depends on its size, number of officers, number of Cadet NCOs, facilities, and the organisational preference of the Cadet Unit Commander.

Cadet units are graded on their parading numbers, which dictates the number of officers each unit may have, and the number of Corporals, Sergeants, Flight Sergeants and Under Officers.

Cadets can join between the ages of 13 to 15 and can stay on without promotion to the age of 18. Units provide uniform, bonds are sometimes held to ensure that they are returned. Unit fees are set by each unit annually dependent on the type of activities the unit has planned. Cadets may in time be promoted to NCO ranks. Cadet NCO ranks are based on the RNZAF ranks, and are:

• Leading Air Cadet (LACDT)
• Corporal (CDTCPL),
• Sergeant (CDTSGT),
• Flight Sergeant (CDTF/S),
• Warrant Officer (CDTW/O),

and

• Officer Cadet (OFFCDT).

The CDT prefix/suffix is used to distinguish regular force personnel from those of the cadet forces. The only other difference is that in the RNZAF, LAC stands for Leading Aircraftman

However, whilst not all cadets become NCOs, all get the chance to train and progress through the different levels of training, Basic 1, Basic 2, Proficiency, and Advanced levels, by demonstrating knowledge and skills in subjects including cadet forces knowledge, general (regular) service knowledge, leadership, firearms safety, and aviation.

As of early 2007, the Chief of Air Staff has accepted the introduction of the rank of Leading Air Cadet (LACDT). This is not regarded as an NCO rank but will be awarded to those cadets showing obvious leadership skills or to give seniority to long-serving or older cadets who may not otherwise have been given a chance to go on a junior NCO course. This is the Air Training Corps equivalent to the NZCC Lance Corporal and Sea Cadet Corps' Able Cadet. Minimum qualification for this is as per the following:

• The cadet must have attended a minimum of 20 parades and be suitable to act as flight marker.

Adult Members can serve in two capacities: Commissioned Officers or Civilian Instructors, known as Supplementary Staff. Officers are commissioned into the New Zealand Cadet Forces, with the post-nominal letters NZCF, at the rank of Pilot Officer, and can be promoted to Flying Officer, and Flight Lieutenant after completing the necessary training and service. The rank of Squadron Leader used to be reserved for Unit Commanders who have completed command training, but is now only used for those above unit level. Supplementary Staff are civilians who help train cadets. They do not wear a uniform, but they are generally treated similarly to officers by cadets. They are addressed as "Instructor" or by cadets choice, "Sir" or "Ma'am".

Every unit holds Parade Nights around 2–4 hours long weekly during school terms. Each parade night usually begins and ends with a parade. The starting parade is used to raise the RNZAF ensign, to inspect uniforms, and to inform the cadets on the parade night's activities. The final parade is used to lower the RNZAF ensign. They are then informed either during parade or at a debrief of upcoming events in the unit. Between the parades, the cadets undergo classroom or practical instruction.

Units teach aviation theory as part of the parade nights, and units typically organise practical Flying Training for the cadets in partnership with local Aero Clubs. There is an annual National Aviation Course, consisting of separate Flying and Navigation flights. Those that opt for the Flying component spend two weeks covering both theory and practical lessons in flying, with First Solo being a common achievement for those over 16 years of age. The Navigation component is a 1-week long theoretical and practical course covering the NZ CAA Private Pilot Licence syllabus. The practical content included 4 navigation flights building up from an initial 30 minute map reading exercise to a full two hour Navigation exercise covering up to 100 nautical miles (190 km) distance.

As with Flying, Gliding Training is organised by the unit in partnership with local Gliding Clubs. There is one annual week-long Gliding Course, which is held at Matamata aerodrome. Cadets from all over New Zealand may attend this week-long course.

Most units conduct classroom training in bushcraft and survival skills and hold regular Basic and Advanced bushcraft camps in the local area during weekends. There is a national bushcraft course held either at RNZAF Dip Flat in the South Island or at the Waiouru Army base in the North Island. The last Waiouru bushcraft course was held in 2011, with all future national bushcraft courses being held at RNZAF Dip Flat.

Units conduct regular range training with smallbore rifles. Some units have their own armouries and ranges at their parade hall. Cadets must pass a DFTT (Dry Firing Training Test) before being allowed on the range. Cadets who achieve high marks regularly on the range may be awarded a marksmanship badge to be worn on their brassard.

There are currently three different levels of marksmanship badges first being Rifle Competency Badge (RCB) which is awarded for shooting 60 points (from 100) and above twice, next being First Class Shot (FCS) for scoring 70 points and above and finally the Marksman badge for shooting 80 points and above. The Marksman score must be obtained in a competition. The RCB must be held to eligible for the First Class Shot badge or Marksman badge. Cadets participate in annual shooting competitions, including the Commonwealth-wide competition, the Ffennell Commonwealth Shooting Shield.

• Junior NCO Course[6]
• Senior NCO Course[6]
• Cadet Bushcraft Course
• Officer Bushcraft Course
• Officers Commissioning Course
• Range Safety Officers Course
• Officers Instructional Technique Course
• Officers' Command Course
• Shooting Coaches' Course

• National Aviation Course - Power Flying[6]
• National Aviation Course - Navigation[6]
• National Gliding Activity[6]
• Air Force Experience[7]

At some point in the year, nominated squadrons are inspected by their Area Co-ordinator. They judge them on their standards of drill, knowledge of the ATC curriculum, and general efficiency in running the unit. Each area selects an area winner and then the 3 area winners compete for the National Efficiency Trophy.

The Davy Drill Competition is a Ceremonial Drill competition held annually, in each of the three areas. The competition is only open to the Air Training Corps and must consist of no less than 12 people in a marching formation, with one parade commander, which is to be of a Senior NCO rank. The winner of each area's competition moves onto the National Competition.

The winner of the National competition wins the Davy Memorial Trophy, which was donated in memoriam of Hr. H.A.C Davy, who was the Dominion President of the Air Training Corps Association for a number of years.

The Aviation Skills Competition, is a set of three competitions held across New Zealand, each open to ATC squadrons in their area. This is followed by a national competition, pitting the three winners against each other to find the top squadron in the country. The competition aims to test cadets on their teamwork, comradeship and capabilities. Cadets are tested on various aspects of their training, including rifle shooting, GSK & CFK (knowledge of the NZDF and NZCF respectively), first aid, drill and navigation.[8]