Urgent To all AAFC staff and Cadets
Do you want to find out about challenging career opportunities in the Aerospace industry?
Do you want to extend your knowledge and experience about aviation?
A new program for AAFC staff and cadets to commence in February 2012 is under development.
This email seeks expressions of interest for the Aerospace Challenge program from suitably qualified AAFC staff and cadets from all Wings in Australia.
The program is also expected to be open to Australian Navy Cadets and Australian Army Cadets who meet the strict entry requirements outlined below.
AAFC Aerospace Challenge Program Concept:
The Aerospace Challenge Program, which is still under development, will be an additional AAFC activity to the current weekly activity program.
The current concept is as follows:
Selected cadets will undertake a directed reading and study program via email from February to April including completing written responses to study questions about subjects including aerodynamics, aircraft design, remotely piloted vehicles, aircraft engineering and remotely piloted aerial systems training programs.
During the end of term one school holidays, a camp will be run which will include visits to aerospace companies, visits to sites where there are activities such as simulation, wind tunnels, and presentations from scientists and engineers about related topics. Team projects will be undertaken during this week. As part of this week’s camp, staff will assess the best three cadets who will then travel to the United Kingdom in the last week of July to participate in the Royal Air Force “Aerospace Challenge”. Further information about the RAF Aerospace Challenge can be found at www.aerospacechallenge.org
The three AAFC cadets selected will be required by the Royal Air Force Challenge organisers to be between 16 and 18 years old at the time of the competition in the last week of July.
Cadets who do not meet the age requirements for the 2012 program but show sufficient aptitude for this program, as this program will be conducted over the next three years and participation in could be an advantage to future selection.
The AAFC Aerospace Challenge Program is sponsored by the Defence Material Organisation (DMO). Travel expenses for the camp at the end of Term One and travel and participation in the Aerospace Challenge in the United Kingdom will be met from the DMO sponsorship. DMO intends to provide initial sponsorship for the program for the next three years.
Entry Requirements
Indicative entry requirements are as follows:
AAFC Staff Entry
Essential – Ability to supervise cadets undertaking the Aerospace Challenge Program
Essential – Available to travel within Australia to support the visit program to Australian Industry during the end of term one 2012 school holidays
Desirable – Knowledge of aerospace theory and practice which would normally include a degree qualification
Cadet Entry
Must have completed at least six months in the AAFC and passed all AAFC subjects to date – including AVB and ARB.
Must have attendance record of more than 80 per cent at weekly parades.
Must have very strong school academic ability including high levels in mathematics and science.
Must commit to being available for the camp at the end of term one 2012.
Must commit to travelling to the United Kingdom in the last week of July for the Aerospace challenge if selected.
Must have, or be able to obtain, a current Australian Passport at the end of term one 2012.
Parent/Guardian agreement for the cadet participation as outlined above.
The number of cadets participating in this program will be limited. Cadets who provide an initial expression of interest will be screened to ensure the appropriate staff to cadet ratios, and to ensure the cadets selected have strong chances of performing well in the program.
Are you Interested – What to do now?
For staff who are interested please outline your current interests, qualifications and experience, particularly in the aerospace subject areas noted above, in a short dot point email to WGCDR Warren Bishop at Warren.Bishop@defence.gov.au by 21 Dec 2011 to enable those selected to assist with the cadet EOI review in January 2012. Please note that specific aerospace experience is not mandatory, as cadet supervisor ratios need to be maintained, however some aerospace experience will be an advantage.
For cadets who are interested in participating in the program, provide the following information in an email to CB-AF.Admin@defence.gov.au with a copy to your squadron CO and your wing SOGT .
* Cadets should not send Expressions of Interest to WGCDR Bishop, as he will not accept them.
Cadets should provide the following information:
- email address
- Service Number
- surname
- given names
- date of birth
- AAFC Squadron
- School currently being attended in 2011
- List of subjects studied in 2011 including the level being studied and
- results in percentages for each subject
- School being attended in 2012
- List of subjects being studied in 2012 including the level being studied.
Note that confirmation of parent/guardian agreement will be required after initial screening of cadets is completed. Comments by AAFC Squadron COs will be sought about the suitability of applicants after initial screening is completed.
