The AAFC is a youth development organisation, aiming to develop the qualities of leadership, initiative, loyalty and discipline in an Aviation and Military environment. It is by no means a 'boot-camp', nor does becoming a cadet guaruntee entry into the Defence Forces.
Check out what the National Commander has to say about us:
"The AAFC is an excellent organisation to join. It does not suit everyone, but if you are attracted to adventurous activities, training and development, meeting and making new friends, or perhaps have an interest in aviation, then the AAFC might be right for you. You will need to have a willingness to accept discipline in a fair and constructive manner, assist and help out friends and colleagues when needed, and be part of a team.
Many of us continue the cadet association well into our adulthood, returning to the organisation and its people the benefits of being an Air Force cadet; leadership, good citizenship, camaraderie to name just a few."
- Group Captain (AAFC) Colin Palmer.
The aim of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, which includes the AAFC is:
By predominantly voluntary effort, to better equip young people for community life by fostering initiatives, leadership, discipline and loyalty through training programmes which are also designed to stimulate an interest in a particular arm of the Defence Force.
From this, the following specific aims have been developed:
* To give cadets a foundation of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) knowledge and discipline;
* To develop qualities of leadership, self-reliance and initiative;
* To develop character and good citizenship in the widest sense;
* To develop an interest in the RAAF and aviation generally;
* To instil a knowledge of aviation history; and
* To encourage cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life.
17 Flight Air Training Corps was formed in July 1956, originally a Town Flight at Caulfield. It later relocated to new premises built for it at Noel Street, Brighton, adjoining the Army Drill Hall, sharing, when necessary, some of the Army's facilities. No 3 Flight was amalgamated briefly in the mid-1970's to form 3/17 Flight, until No 3 Flight was re-raised at Dandenong in 1978.
On December 17, 1984, No 17 Flight was presented by Brighton Council with a Flag of the City of Brighton and a Scroll of Honour, conferring on it the title 'City of Brighton'. When The City of Brighton amalgamated with boarding cities (Sandringham, Mordialloc and Moorabbin) on December 14, 1994. They formed Bayside City Counsil, thus cousing the name to transfer to 17 (City of Bayside) Flight.
The Squadron was relocated to Labuan Barracks at Sandringham in November 2000 after the ADF sold the original Noel Street premises.
On July 1, 2001, changes were made to better reflect the Air Training Corps relationship with its parent service, the Royal Australian Air Force. This meant that 17 (City of Bayside) Flight was renamed to 417 (City of Bayside) Squadron, Australian Air Force Cadets. This remains the official title of the Squadron today.
In staying with the RAAF traditions, all Squadrons have recently acquired Banners as a means of fostering esprit de corps. The Motto on the 417 Squadron Banner reads "Ex Nihilo Nihil", which is the Latin phrase for "from nothing comes nothing". The phrase represents the Squadrons ability to create greatness from any situation or individual.
The Squadron Crest contains the Bayside City Council Shell logo overlaid by a seagull. This represents the Squadrons Sandringham location and the Squadrons proximity to the beach.
This is a picture of the Squadrons Banner.