Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets

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 caught fire near White Waltham. Rather than bale out and lose the WJAC’s aircraft, she switched 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]

In 1964 the Girls Venture Corps replaced both the 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.[5] 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.[6] It was decided that the GVC would focus on air activities and in 1987, at the request of its membership, the organisation was renamed the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets.[7]

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14 to 25. The Award programme has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, and Cadets are often encouraged to achieve these awards as they progress through their cadet careers. The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self-confidence than their counterparts, and have leadership qualities with experience of teamwork.

Until 2008, some cadets aged 16 or over participated in the Duke of Edinburgh's Millennium Volunteers Award.

There is opportunity for all Cadets to undertake practical gliding and powered flying,[8] underpinned by training courses in aviation subjects.

• Air Discovery (from age 11 onwards)
  • Basic study and practical experiments
• Air Ability (ages 12–13) provides an introduction to:
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Weather
  • Engines
  • Flight and Navigation Theory
• Air Proficiency (age 13+)
  • Air Traffic Control & Radio
  • Meteorology
  • Air Navigation
  • Propulsion & Theory of Flight
• Air Brevet

To gain this qualification a single specialist subject is studied:

• Aeronautical Engineering (Engines)
• Air Navigation

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

The GVCAC, as a uniformed youth organization, sets itself and its members very high standards, including dress and behaviour. Drill (marching) is a vital part of encouraging teamwork, discipline, co-operation and self-confidence. Practicing drill is a means of instilling discipline and teamwork; it is also used in formal parades, for moving around military bases and moving cadets in a smart and orderly fashion. The Corps instills good manners and customs (etiquette) into cadets' behaviours; this transfers into having respect for each other, their family and is often well received by prospective employers.

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

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

The Royal Air Force Association each year invites applications from both the ATC and GVCAC for a limited number of flying scholarships.[9]

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 the Royal Air Force Nursing Service.[10]

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.

Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets											No insignia	No insignia
	Officer Cadet				Cadet Unit Sergeant	Cadet Sergeant	Cadet Corporal		Cadet Lance Corporal	Leading Cadet	Cadet	Recruit
	OFFCDT				CDTUSGT	CDTSGT	CDTCPL		CDTLC	LCDT	CDT	RCT