Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets

First woman to break sound barrier

Diana Barnato Walker climbing into the cockpit of a Spitfire whilst serving with the Air Transport Auxiliary

Former Air Transport Auxiliary Pilot, Diana Barnato Walker became a pilot for the Women's Junior Air Corps (WJAC) shortly after the war, giving cadets training and air-experience flights to air-minded teenage girls to encourage them to enter the aviation industry. In July 1948, an aircraft that she was flying burst into flames at near White Waltham. Rather than bale out and lose the WJAC’s aircraft, she switch off the fuel and glided the aircraft back. In 1963 she undertook a flight in an English Electric Lightning, attaining 1,262 mph (Mach 1.65) in a two-seat T.4 trainer and thus became the first British woman to exceed the speed of sound.^[4][5]

Girls Venture Corps

In 1964 the Girls Venture Corps replaced both GTC and WJAC. The previous year, the Girls Nautical Training Corps became more closely involved with the Sea Cadet Corps^[3] and in 1980 became an integral part of the Sea Cadets and ceased to be a separate organisation.^[6] The Girls Venture Corps had two wings corresponding to the former GTC and WJAC; it was common at this time for former GTC units to share premises with Army Cadet Force units and for former WJAC units to share premises with Air Training Corps units. From 1983 girls were accepted into the ACF and ATC, which caused many GVC cadets to transfer to their respective counterparts.^[7] It was decided that the GVC would focus on air activities and in 1987 the organisation was renamed 'Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets'.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14–25. The Award programme consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each have differing criteria for entry and the level of achievement necessary to complete each award. Cadets who meet the age criteria can join the award scheme.

Each award is broken down into 4 areas (5 for gold) which participants must complete successfully to receive their award. These are:-

• Service

Helping others in the local community.

• Expeditions

Training for, and planning of a journey.

• Skills

Demonstrate ability in almost any hobby, skill or interest

• Physical Recreation

Sport, dance and fitness.

• Residential Project (Gold Award only)

A purposeful enterprise with young people not previously known to the participant.

Cadets are often encouraged to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards as they progress through their cadet careers. Some cadets aged 16 or over used to be able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Millennium Volunteers Award, this has now been overtaken by another authority and it is currently being reviewed on whether or not cadets will be able to undertake it as it has a new structure.

The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self-confidence than their counterparts, have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.

Aviation Award

There is opportunity for all Cadets within the GVCAC to undertake practical Gliding and Powered Flying this is underpinned by training courses in Aviation subjects and are an integral part of the Challenge Award as well as being an award within itself .^[3]

• Air Discovery (from age 11 onwards)
  • Basic study and practical experiments
• Air Ability (Ages 12–13) Introduction to:
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Weather
  • Engines
  • Flight and Navigation Theory
• Air Proficiency (Ages 13+)
  • Air Traffic Control & Radio
  • Meteorology
  • Air Navigation
  • Propulsion & Theory of Flight
• Air Brevet This gain this qualification a single specialist subject is studied:
  • Aeronautical Engineering (Engines)
  • Air Navigation

Challenge Award

The Challenge Award consists of drill and etiquette, service to the community, life skills, outdoor/adventure activities, interests/skills, and physical recreation sections.

Other activities

GVCAC Cadets can also take part in the International Air Cadet Exchange (I.A.C.E), and Nijmegen Marches.

RAFA Flying Scholarship

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six at Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire

The Royal Air Force Association each year invites applications from both ATC and GVCAC for a limited number of flying scholarships. In 2008 Nicole Pogmore from Rotherham was successful in being awarded an RAFA scholarship.^[8]

Ducat-Amos Gliding Scholarships

In 2007 six grants were awarded to GVCAC Cadets which enabled attendance on a weekend course at a local gliding club. The scholarships were named after Air Commandant Barbara Ducat-Amos CB RRC (1921-2008), Director of Royal Air Force Nursing Service.^[9]

Cadet ranks

As well as learning new skills by working through the GVCAC syllabus, experienced cadets can be awarded a rank. The GVCAC allows its Cadets to take on responsibility and leadership as Non-commissioned Officers or NCOs.

Insignia
Rank	Cadet	Leading Cadet	Cadet Lance Corporal	Cadet Corporal	Cadet Sergeant	Cadet Unit Sergeant	Officer Cadet

Staff ranks

Insignia
Rank	Potential/Acting Section Officer	Section Officer	Assistant Unit Officer	Unit Officer	Senior Officer	Honorary Corps Commandant