Air Studies – Ground School
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER
OBJECTIVE
The Air Cadet Glider Scholarship Program and Power Scholarship Program are 6-7 week summer camps where cadets can earn a glider pilot or airplane private pilot license issued by Transport Canada. These are CIVILIAN qualifications. Once qualified, cadet pilots can operate an aircraft as pilot-in-command within civilian organizations as well as the cadet organization. Successful cadets also earn the privilege of having pilot wings on their uniform.
DESCRIPTION
To be a candidate for these summer courses, cadets must be no less than 16 years of age by August 31, 2026 for the Glider Pilot Scholarship Program, and no less than 17 years of age by August 31, 2026 for the Power Pilot Scholarship Program.
These scholarships are the most academically demanding summer camps the Air Cadet program has to offer. Each summer, less than two dozen candidates across the region will qualify for these scholarship programs, making for stiff competition and a demanding selection process, where most of a candidate’s score is attributed to their performance on the entrance exam.
Training for the entrance exam is offered by the Air Cadet National Ground School Program, a mandatory online training program where candidates learn all the required elements covered in the exam. Training sessions are streamed live and recorded, allowing candidates to watch missed lessons later, or rewatch lessons for review.
The 51 Squadron Ground School program is an in-class training program offered to candidates as a supplement to the National Ground School Program. Though not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that cadets attend the local 51 Squadron Ground School program, to provide a firm foundation of knowledge required to be competitive in the selection process.
SENIOR GROUND SCHOOL
Senior Ground School runs from late-September to January, in preparation for the entrance exam which has historically been written on the first Saturday in February. Only those who meet the age requirements for the summer course may participate in Senior Ground School (see requirements above).
Training is set to begin on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026*
When: Tuesdays, 1830-2100 (6:30 PM to 9:00 PM)*
Where: Le Phare Elementary School, 1965 Naskapi Dr., Gloucester*
Dress: Civilian clothes, relaxed
What to bring: Notebooks and stationery
Register at the link below
51 Squadron Senior Ground School – Fill out form
* Note: Training start date and location are to be confirmed. Announcements will be made on Squadron parade nights on Wednesdays, and updated on this webpage, as well as on the squadron website.
JUNIOR GROUND SCHOOL
For those who are too young to qualify for Senior Ground School, the squadron offers a Junior Ground School Program that runs from February till the end of the cadet training year in April. Training is provided by senior cadet instructors who rotate from week to week, and are supervised by CI LeBlanc. Cadets intending to one day participate in Senior Ground School are encouraged to attend Junior Ground School, to introduce themselves to topics early, giving them time to learn and master the material needed to one day be a pilot.
Start date: February 2027*
When: Tuesdays, 1830-2100 (6:30 PM to 9:00 PM)*
Where: Le Phare Elementary School, 1965 Naskapi Dr., Gloucester*
Dress: Civilian clothes, relaxed
What to bring: Notebooks and stationery
Registration will be opening in February 2027
* Note: Training start date and location are to be confirmed. Announcements will be made on Squadron parade nights on Wednesdays, and updated on this webpage, as well as on the squadron website.