Royal Canadian Air Cadets

To Learn. To Serve. To Advance.

Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAC) is part of the Cadets Canada, a youth organization administered by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to instill interest in the military but especially in the air force. Teenagers aged 12-18 are welcomed to join this program as the largest federally funded youth program in the country, where many of them take part in aviation-related activities such as gliding, familiarization flights, and national scholarships for the Glider Pilot License and Private Pilot License. In addition, adults can also join the program by leading cadets in administrative and supervisory roles as a commissioned officer in the Cadet Instructor Cadre, a branch of the CAF Reserve Forces.

As part of the Manitoba Aviation Council (MAC) career fairs, trading cards branded with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets badge and aircraft were released in late 2026. Intended as marketing for Canadian youth interested in aviation, these cards share similar design to its counterparts made by MAC and larger dimensions than average cards, coming in at 9.2cm by 7.0cm. Hardshell top-loaders are recommended over card sleeves to ensure minimal damage when storing these cards.

Fun fact: One of the site editors was a member of the RCAC for over 5 years, completing his time in mid-2017 as a Squadron Commander, the highest appointment in a squadron. This role encompasses technical knowledge and leadership, requiring expertise in both areas to effectively lead over 100 cadets in weekly operations and extra-curricular activities within the program. And yes, the RCAC program is how our editor began his journey towards becoming an airline pilot!