Where do you meet?

125 (Cheltenham) Squadron Headquarters are located in Charlton Kings just off Horsefair Street, alongside Grange Playing Fields.  Firstly, go to St. Mary's church, at the other end of Copt Elm Road from 'Six-ways'.  Then follow the one-way road around the church and proceed south along Horsefair Street (towards Leckhampton hill).  After the road/car park on the left (Church Piece), there is then a row of houses, and at the end of these, a driveway on the left.  The Squadron HQ is down this drive, beside the playing fields.  If you reach the cemetery, or Croft Road (on the right), then you've gone too far. Click here to see a map/aerial photo overlay. Our postcode is GL53 8JU.

What is the ATC?

The ATC is one of the largest youth organisations in the UK, with approximately 50,000 cadets.  

There are over 1000 ATC Squadrons across the country, and so there is probably at least one near you.  We have two here in Cheltenham as well as a CCF unit at one of the schools.

When do you meet?

We have scheduled meetings on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 1900.  But there are often other (optional) activities too, especially at weekends

Who can join?

The Air Training Corps is open to young people (of either sex) from the age of 13 upwards.

How do I join?

You would be very welcome to visit during one of our regular scheduled evening parades.  There's no obligation.  Come and find out more by discussing the Air Training Corps with one of our leaders.  You could also ask some cadets what they think, and don't be surprised if you find that you already know some of them.  You might like to bring a parent, as they have probably got a few questions too!  Alternatively, you might find some more answers on this, or other ATC web sites (see Links) and if you 'don't find what you want, then you can also enquire.

How many cadets are there?

125 Squadron has a complement approaching 40, with a roughly equal gender split. Across the whole country there are approximately 50,000 cadets.

How much does it cost?

The Air Training Corps offers extremely good value for money.  It costs little more than a pound a week! Where else could you get the opportunity to participate in exciting activities such as having a go at flying a plane for so little.  Of course the ATC is sponsored by the RAF, as they are keen to promote an interest in aviation.  Uniform is provided (which is helpful as most cadets tend to be growing rapidly).  Sometimes, there are additional activities such as our summer water-sports weekend when an additional charge applies.

What if I join and then don't like it?

Don't worry, you don't have to make a committment to stay for any length of time, so you would be free to leave, although we're confident that you will be keen to stay on.

Where is Cheltenham?

Cheltenham, is in Gloucestershire, roughly a hundred miles (160Km) West-North-West of London. If you know your UK motorways, then it is by junctions 10 and 11 of the M5, 40% of the way between Bristol and Birmingham. To be more precise, the grid reference for our Headquarters is SO 9656 2025. This is roughly Latitude 51° 53' North, Longitude 2° 03' West

Cheltenham is an attractive Regency spa town, and you can find out more about it from the Local section of our Links page

What is an ATC Squadron?

A Squadron is the basic organisational unit that represents the ATC at a particular location. Across the country there are over 1000 squadrons. Normally a squadron will comprise in the region of 30-50 enrolled cadets. Most squadrons are open to all to join, but some are School Squadrons, and so are restricted to those that attend the associated school.

A squadron is part of a larger organisational entity, the Wing. In our case, 125 (Cheltenham) Squadron are part of Bristol and Gloucestershire wing. Wings are then organised into regions. If you would like to see further information about these, then please Click here. A squadron is normally sub-divided into several Flights.

In medium to large towns, there may often be more than one squadron, and in Cheltenham we have several. Sometimes, in locations where there are not enough cadets to make up a whole squadron, they may exist as a detached flight to some squadron in the area.

Who runs it ?

A Squadron will be run by RAFVR(T) Officers, ATC Adult Warrant Officers (AWOs), and Civilian Instructors (CIs).  It is also supported by a civilian committee. This typically comprises half a dozen people who assist with the running of the squadron, in particular:

• Raising funds for Squadron activities.
• Controlling the Squadron finances.
• others?... check HQ site

How long are the evening sessions?

They normally last about 2¼ hours.

What activities are there?

Lots. Take a look at the activities section of our website. The staff work hard to maintain a varied and interesting programme which includes all sorts of things from technical training, to various sports, with local exercises (we're fortunate to have the hills closeby), as well as shooting, drill, aircraft modelling, and Duke of Edinburgh scheme activities. The squadron are always open to ideas, so if there's something that you'd like to do, not necessarily associated with aviation, then come and discuss it, as many things are possible.

How can I find out more?

Over time, we will be developing this website, and adding more material, including FAQ in response to comments received, as well as articles written by the squadron members. If there are more general questions about the ATC then you might find answers by following some of our Links but if you are after more specific information about 125 (Cheltenham) squadron, then please click here to make an enquiry, or drop in on a parade evening.

Are there other squadrons nearby?

There is another squadron in Cheltenham, (2322 Dowty Squadron) who meet in Arle Road. Close to Cheltenham are: Bishop's Cleeve (2328), and Innsworth (2342).  Others nearby include: Gloucester (181), Quedgeley (2419), Tewkesbury (785), Newent (186),  Dursley (649), Stroud (1329) and Lydney (416).

Sometimes we have joint exercises with the other Cheltenham Squadron, and we also get to know cadets from the other squadrons across the region in various wing activities.

1070 (Diss) Squadron have produced a very good Directory of ATC Squadrons listing the various known contact details for each one, and you may find this of use. Just follow the link above.

Where do you shoot?

We frequently go shooting with the No. 8 Rifle (0.22") at the range in Arle Road. We also use the L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle (5.56mm) at RAF Innsworth.

Where do you fly?

Our Air Experience Flights (AEF) are usually at RAF Colerne, which is between Bath and Chippenham. Click here to see a map/aerial photo of RAF Colerne. In addition to these flights, cadets usually have the opportunity to do some flying when at a summer camp. As well as the powered flying in Tutors, we also go Gliding in Vikings (winch launch) at RAF Hullavington, and gliding in Vigilants (powered) at RAF Rissington. Click here to see a map/aerial photo of RAF Rissington.

How safe are these activities?

All of our activities are supervised by qualified staff and safety is paramount. There is no obligation to undertake any particular activities and needless to say, parental consent is sought for each category of activity and pre-requisite to participation.

Why does ... happen when I use this web site?

Further technical questions relating to the website, browsers, options, messages and firewalls are discussed in a separate FAQ, which you can see if you click here.