Successful applicants are offered cadetships to become Air Corps Pilot Officers in the Defence Forces. The Air Corps Cadet will undergo a course of training of up to three years (approx. 30 months) duration divided into separate stages. Air Corps Cadets will complete the first stage consisting of military training in the Cadet School, Military College, DFTC, Curragh Camp. During this time the Cadet is instructed in weapons handling (to instructor level), tactics (conventional, internal security and counter–insurgency), arms and foot drill, map reading, communications skills, first aid, basic military engineering, human resource management, communications skills, military law, and academic studies which include leadership, Irish and military history, politics and accountancy.
The purpose of Cadet training is to develop character and leadership skills and instil a sense of duty and responsibility. To benefit from that training, which is conducted in an environment of strict discipline, the Cadet needs mental acuity and physical agility.
Cadets will then be posted to the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 to commence flight training. This stage progresses from ground school (EASA ATPL standard) to flying training. On completion of ground school, cadets will be commissioned as a Lt or 2/Lt after which they will begin flight training. Flying training consists of elementary and basic flying to advanced flying including navigation, instrument flying, aerobatics, formation flying among other disciplines. It should be noted that subject to the exigencies of the service, Young Officers may undertake some or all of their flight training abroad in a recognised military flight training school. On successful completion of ground school and flying training, Young Officers will receive their military pilots’ wings and qualify as military pilots.
The Air Corps Cadetship Competition 2023 has just opened. If you’re interested in applying or would like more information, please click here.
