1242 (Faversham) Squadron ATC

If you don't know about the Air Training Corps, then you should probably visit the Official Site first.

The aims of the Air Training Corps are:

To promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.
To provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian life.
To foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship.

1242 is an ATC Squadron based in Faversham, Kent. As a squadron we participate in a wide range of activities related to the aims, including (but not limited to):

Flying (in the ATC's own training aircraft as well as in RAF aircraft)
Gliding (in the ATC's own gliders)
Adventure Training (including skills of camp craft, survival, navigation and fitness)
Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Where we're meeting while our new cadet centre is built

By Steve on April 15, 2011 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After many years of planning, work has started on renovating the old 'gun shed' on Preston Street into a new cadet centre. Our previous home, the Drill Hall and Cottage, also on Preston Street have been sold by the MOD to fund the renovation work. The build is expected to take 6 months and while that work is undertaken we will be meeting:

Tuesday evening, 7pm - 9.30pm at The Abbey School, Faversham.

Friday evening, 7pm - 9.30pm at the Scout building, Partridge Lane, Faversham.

We've also modified our training program to include more outdoor squadron activities over the summer.

If you've been thinking of joining as a cadet or volunteering as a staff member please email adj.1242@aircadets.org first to confirm that we'll be meeting on the nights you'd like to visit.

1242 Squadron Staff

By Steve on April 14, 2011 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

1242 Squadron Staff
Flying Officer Kevin Doyle Officer in Command
Flight Sergeant ATC Daz Wilkinson AMIMI - Deputy OIC Daz was a cadet at 1242 Squadron in 1980-1985. In 1985 he joined the Royal Air Force and trained as a Vehicle Technician. Daz served in various theatres including the Falklands, Bosnia, Kosovo and Belize. Having left the RAF and returned to Faversham, he's also returned to 1242 as a CI. "When I was a cadet I remember CI's helping me. Now it's my turn to help cadets". Daz's duties at 1242 include: Training Officer, Adventure Training, Staff Cadet Training, Security and MT (as our only mechanic, he gets to fix our squadron Minibus!) Daz passed his A/Sgt board in 2006 and was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant in November 2010
CI Steve Root Steve remembers wanting to fly from a very young age - it all started when he read a noticeboard at junior school. He joined his local ATC squadron [25 (Parkwood) Squadron] when he was 13 and never looked back. "I definitely benefited from being an Air Cadet. The skills I learnt helped me get my Private Pilots Licence when I was just 19 years old. I also learnt a lot about leadership and team management". Steve left the ATC as a Cadet Warrant Officer when he was 22 to start a business. 7 Years later and he's returned "I really enjoy passing on the skills that I learnt when I was an air cadet and best of all, I'm still learning new things. As a member of staff I've been trained in many things including First Aid skills. Working with the next generation of air cadets and seeing them improve and develop their abilities is really satisfying."
Could this be your photo? Adult Staff in the ATC are essential in delivering the aims of the air training corps. If you are willing to share your skills and experience with young people one evening a week or more, we'd like to hear from you. If you live in or near Faversham then you can contact us. Alternatively contact your local ATC squadron through Kent Wing or HQ ATC. You can read more about the role of different staff on the official www.aircadets.org web site. (Note - you don't have to have been an Air Cadet to be a staff member of the ATC)

Upcoming Events

By Liam on October 19, 2010 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The following is to be used as a guide for any upcoming events/activities, for more information please speak to the squadron staff.

Sunday 31st October 2010 - Kent Wing Parade

Friday 5th - Sunday 7th November - Pentathlon

Friday 12th November 2010 - Banner Parties Rehearsal

Sunday 14th November 2010 - Remembrance Parade

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December 2010 - Corps Field Day

Wednesday 8th - Thursday 9th December 2010 - Christmas Concert at Mount Ephraim

Tuesday 14th December 2010 - Cadet Christmas Party

Friday 17th December 2010 - Cadet Christmas Activity

Sunday 19th December 2010 - Gliding

Band Success!!!

By Liam on October 9, 2010 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1242 (Faversham) Squadron and 312 (City of Canterbury) Squadron joint band, have today been crowned percussion champions at the L&SER field day.

A video of the winning performance can be seen here;

More information and pictures to follow.....

Faversham Air Cadets receive £2,500 grant

By Steve on August 27, 2010 9:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Charitable organisation Grassroots have given a grant of £2,500 to Faversham Air Cadets for new equipment.

Grassroots, run by the Kent Community Foundation (www.kentcf.org.uk), is a scheme that makes grants to small community and voluntary groups which focus on building a sense of community and improving quality of life.

Faversham Air Cadets will be using the money to update various training equipment. This includes new instruments for their award winning band.They won the Kent Wing percussion championship in 2007, 2008 and most recently in 2010. They are often seen to perform at the Faversham Hop Festival, outside their squadron headquarters on Preston Street.

Music skills are just one part of the training Air Cadets receive. Cadets from 1242 (Faversham) Squadron regularly go flying and gliding with the RAF, shooting and learn about aviation in general. They meet Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7pm until 9:30pm. Cadets can join from their 13th birthday. For more information, call 01795 535995 during a parade night, pay them a visit or view their website http://1242.airtrainingcorps.info