BTEC IN AVIATION STUDIES
ADMINISTRATION AND GUIDANCE
INTRODUCTION
1. Since the inception of the BTEC Award in Aviation Studies in 1997, eight thousand full awards have been earned by ATC cadets. Twenty six Wings currently participate in the scheme. Periodically the award is revalidated, which gives the opportunity to update the qualification in a way which reflects training undertaken by cadets and relates this to current vocational and academic qualifications. BTEC qualifications in Aviation Studies are designed at Level 2 of the BTEC framework. Further information on the BTEC framework can be obtained on the Edexcel website at http://www.edexcel.org.uk.
OLD SCHEME BTEC AWARD IN AVIATION STUDIES
2. The original BTEC Award in Aviation Studies (1997-2006) was valued at one GCSE at grades A to C. This could be claimed upon completion of Staff Cadet Part 1, provided the Wing was an approved Edexcel centre.
BTEC CERTIFICATE IN AVIATION STUDIES
3. The old scheme BTEC Award in Aviation Studies is now the BTEC Certificate in Aviation Studies and valued at two GCSEs at grades A to C. This qualification recognises the training undertaken to complete First Class, Leading, Senior and Staff Cadet Part 1. Cadets who have passed Staff Cadet Part 1 will be eligible for this certificate. The cost of this certificate is currently discounted at £35. Edexcel reserves the right to change its fees, normally on 1 Sep each year.
NEW SCHEME BTEC AWARD IN AVIATION STUDIES
4. The new scheme BTEC Award in Aviation Studies will be available to ATC cadets upon completion of Leading Cadet and is valued at one GCSE at grades A to C. The qualification recognises the training undertaken for both First Class Cadet and Leading Cadet. The cost of this award is currently discounted at £30. This gives those cadets who do not reach Staff Cadet Part 1 the opportunity to achieve an award.
NEW EDEXCEL LEAD CENTRE
5. Previously, each Wing was required to be an Edexcel approved centre. However, from 1 Jan 07, HQ Air Cadets is the Edexcel approved centre for the Air Cadet Organisation. The benefits of this are:
- Fewer visits by Edexcel External Verifiers to individual Wings.
- External verification visits coordinated through HQ Air Cadets.
- Wings will no longer be required to undergo Edexcel centre approval before offering these qualifications.
6. Wings may continue to use the Edexcel logo to promote Edexcel centre status if they wish.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
7. The programme structure for the ATC has three blocks of subjects:
- Block A – First Class Cadet.
- Block B – Leading Cadet.
- Block C – Senior and Staff Cadet Part 1.
8. In Block A (First Class Cadet) the required subjects from the training syllabus are:
- Airmanship 1.
- Map Reading.
- Basic Radio Communications.
- Initial Expedition Training.
For the purposes of the award, ACP 18 Manual of Marksmanship Training Volume 2 Basic Skills (called by Edexcel; Handling, Cleaning and Firing the Rifle) is an optional subject. No other subjects from the First Class Cadet syllabus are required.
9. In Block B (Leading Cadet) all three of the training syllabus subjects are required:
- Basic Navigation.
- Principles of Flight.
- Airmanship 2.
10. In Block C (Senior and Staff Cadet Part 1) any two of the training syllabus subjects may be undertaken at each level, giving a total of any four subjects from:
- Aircraft Handling.
- Propulsion.
- Air Navigation.
- Advanced Radio and Radar.
- Operation Flying.
- Airframes.
- Pilot Navigation.
- Satellite Communications.
11. To be eligible for the BTEC Award in Aviation Studies, a cadet must complete Blocks A and B. To be eligible for the BTEC Certificate in Aviation Studies a cadet must complete Blocks A, B and C.
VERIFICATION PROCESS
12. Participating Wings need to maintain a record of training and assessment for all cadets wishing to claim these qualifications. For all training assessed by examination papers issued by HQ Air Cadets (Leading, Senior and Staff Cadet Part 1) the record of achievement is RAF Form 3521A. For First Class Cadet training, evidence that the cadet has completed the training is required. Many Wings already have a process for this but for those Wings who do not, Appendix 1 is a form that could be used to record this evidence. This is only required for those subjects claimed for these qualifications. The following evidence of achievement must be retained for a period of three years:
- RAF Form 3521A.
- First Class Cadet training records or Annex B.
- Examination question papers.
- Examination answer papers.
13. HQ Air Cadets is responsible for verification policy and internal verification. External verification will be undertaken by Edexcel through HQ Air Cadets.
UPDATING FROM AWARD TO CERTIFICATE
14. The new Award can be upgraded to the Certificate, provided that this is within three years of a cadet registration with Edexcel. The current discounted fee is £17.50. It is also possible to upgrade the old Award to the Certificate. Any Wing wishing to offer this facility should contact HQ Air Cadets (TG1) for further guidance.
Appendix