About Us

2469 (Exeter St. Thomas) Squadron, ATC, has its headquarters in the Cowick Barton Playing Fields, on the corner of Old Vicarage Road and Ferndale Road in the St Thomas area of Exeter; although cadets travel from all around the local area, from as far as Crediton and Tedburn, to parade in the squadron.

The cadets meet at the squadron headquarters for regular parades nights twice a week, on both Monday and Thursday evenings, from 19:00hrs. to 21:30 hrs., as well as participating in various other events and activities held at weekends.   There is no strict requirement for cadets to attend on both evenings, in fact some cadets only parade one evening a week, although that is usually a set, regular evening.

During these evening parades the cadets engage in the formal training programme, as well as in project work, community work and taking part in a variety of other events and activities.

Outside of parade nights, when cadets go flying in powered aircraft or gliders, they have already received training in the principles of flight and how to control an aircraft, so once in the air they can easily put this training into practical use !

The same principles apply to all of the squadron activities.

The squadron often arranges adventure training weekends, abseiling, rock climbing and canoeing courses, camping on Dartmoor and many more activities, for which the cadets all receive full training.

The cadets who take part in these exercises are not just led along and told what to do by the staff in charge.   They are taught all of the skills and the rules of the activities, and are given the necessary training to carry out the activity safely and enjoyably, so that they can take the lead, learn more, and so gain the most from the experience.