EVERY year, Airbourne inspires thousands of young people to look to the skies and dream of a future in aviation.
While many will marvel at the aircraft overhead, few realise that the journey towards a career in the Royal Air Force, commercial aviation or many other professions can begin much closer to home.
The RAF Air Cadets offer young people the chance to develop new skills, build confidence and enjoy experiences that many only dream of. Open to those aged 12 and over, cadets can take part in activities including flying, shooting, adventure training, first aid, leadership courses, radio communications, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, sports and even cyber-related activities.
Pilot Officer Luke Williams, of 54 Squadron Eastbourne Air Cadets, says the organisation is about helping young people discover their own ambitions rather than following a set path.
He told Eastbourne News: “It’s an organisation to help cadets find where they’d like to progress. It’s about them trying to choose, not like school where everything is mandatory.
“There are some sections like that, but it’s all about finding what they want to do, where they want to be and what they want to achieve and progress their careers.”
For many cadets, joining opens the door to opportunities they never imagined possible.
One cadet attending Airbourne in 2025 said: “You get so many opportunities and can enter lots of careers in the military, like shooting, flying obviously, and lots of other areas like cyberspace. Everything is so fun – it’s the best thing I’ve done with my life so far.”
While some cadets go on to careers in the Armed Forces, others use the confidence, leadership and teamwork they develop to pursue careers in engineering, emergency services, aviation and many other industries.
Luke added: ”I like to see progress. It could be somebody that has very little prospect in life and that we can help develop into somebody that has gone on to do great things.”
“The cadets open up all sorts of incredible opportunities for young people that they would not simply get anywhere else.”
Your local Air Cadets squadrons are: 54 (Eastbourne) Squadron and 249 Squadron in Hailsham. Visit the stand on Western Lawns during Airbourne to find out more. Visit raf.mod.uk/aircadets/find-a-squadron/ to find locations throughout the UK.
