About
OUR HISTORY
110 Squadron was stood up for the first time in 1942, then disbanded in 1947.
In its current iteration, 110 ‘Otter’ Squadron was formed on 01 Nov 1973 by founding Commanding Officer Major Sean Pollock with the support of 444 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association and 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, which operated out of CFB Downsview until its closure and move to CFB Borden. 110 is a RCAF pre-unification number of 400 Squadron and the cadet unit's original crest was a rendition of the 400 Squadron crest due to its deep connection during its early years. All flight names at the unit are named after aircraft flown by 400 Squadron, and a number of alumni have gone on to military service at the Squadron and throughout the CAF in a number of trades. The name was changed to ‘Agincourt’ in the early 1980’s then to its current name ‘Black Hawk’ in 1993.
110 Squadron is fortunate to call Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute in Scarborough home since it’s inception. The first Annual Ceremonial Review in 1974 was held in the school parking lot, with an Air Marshall as the reviewing officer and local apartments still being built in the area. It has grown to the largest unit in the Toronto East Zone in recent years with little to no recruiting or structured community outreach. Our current headquarters building in use since 1991 has over 40 years of awards and countless artifacts.
110 Squadron’s optional training program is extensive, including one of the few units in the City of Toronto with an active and successful biathlon program. 110 Squadron is now sponsored by 408/437 Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association.
We will celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2023.
Royal Canadian Air Cadets (Français: Cadets de l’aviation royale du Canada) is a Canadian national youth program for persons aged 12 to 18. It is administered by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and funded through the Department of National Defense (DND) with additional support from the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL). Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and Junior Canadian Rangers under the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group (Natl CJCR Sp Gp) it forms the “largest federally funded youth program in the country”. Cadets are not members of the military and are not obliged to join the Canadian Armed Forces.
What do you do in Cadets?
Each squadron trains one night per week — a “parade night” — to undertake the local training program. The course of instruction is prescribed by the Comd Natl CJCR Sp Gp and outlined in course training plans distributed to each squadron. The four-year program provides cadets instruction in citizenship, leadership, survival training, instructional techniques, drill and ceremonial and the basics of aviation and aeronautics. In the fifth and subsequent years, cadets may be assigned to instruct these classes to the younger cadets. The local training begins in September and continues until June.
110 Squadron parades on Tuesday nights from 1830 – 2130 hrs at Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute. Tuesday nights, however, is only the core of the program. It is the training (ie. Flying Scholarship) and the various teams, on weekends and other weeknights, that really make up all the opportunities in the program.
We have many year-long teams, including a Military Band (Can’t play an instrument? We’ll teach you!), Competition Drill Team without Arms, and a Flag Party. We also have sports teams, ground school classes (prerequisite for glider/private pilot licenses), biathlon, marksmanship, and much more.
The Aim of the Cadet Program
The aim of the Cadet Program is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air activities of the Canadian Forces; however, each focuses on its own parent element. The Air Cadet motto is “To learn. To serve. To advance.”
Who can join Air Cadets?
Any Canadian citizen or legal resident in good health can join as early as 12 years of age, and can remain until they turn 19, the age at which they must retire.
Who teaches Air Cadets?
Adult leadership is provided by members of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Subcomponent formation: National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group (Natl CJCR Sp Gp) and Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) composed mostly of officers of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) Branch and supplemented, if necessary, by contracted Civilian Instructors, authorized adult volunteers, and (on occasion) officers and non-commissioned members of other CAF branches. The CIC Branch is specifically trained to deliver the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet training program. Like all reservists, CIC members come from all walks of life and all parts of the community. Some are former cadets and many have former regular or reserve force service.
Are there summer camps?
Summer training are a very big part of Air Cadets, and are run every year in July and August. There are many different courses ranging from 2 to 7 weeks. Cadets are not required to attend the courses but it is highly recommended. You can take everything from basic cadet courses to advanced technical training, and from leadership courses to aerospace studies and make great friends from all over Canada in the process! As with the rest of Air Cadets, summer training courses are free. Eventually an experienced cadet can apply for staff cadet positions for summer training, and get pay equivalent to a full-time summer job.
Can I get my pilot’s license?
Yes! Air Cadets offers two Transport Canada Pilot licenses, The Glider Pilot License (GPL) and the Private Pilot License (PPL). Scholarships are offered to air cadets in order for them to get their pilot licenses at various airfields and flying clubs around the province. The licenses are free through Air Cadets (the GPL normally costs $2,000, while PPL normally costs around $8,000). Cadets just have study and work hard the be the select few who are chosen throughout the country.
During the year, cadets with a glider license can fly at various cadet gliding centres around the province during weekends, and scholarships are offered to pay for continued flying when some cadets retire. In fact, over 60 percent of Canada’s airline pilots got their start in air Cadets.
Do cadets have to join the military?
Air Cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces, nor will they ever be asked to join. If you choose to join though, you will have a great advantage over other applicants (many high-ranking officers and NCMs in the Canadian Armed Forces started off in the cadet program). However, cadets will never be required to serve with the military.
More Questions?
If you have more questions, feel free to simply send us an e-mail: 110air@cadets.gc.ca, or even better yet, drop by on a Tuesday training night and we’ll personally show you around. You can also call us on Tuesday nights (after 1900 hrs and before 2100 hrs) at 416-291-8397.