CANCDTGEN 016/25

Canadian Cadet General Order (CANCDTGEN)

Interim Directive – Glider Pilot Training Course (GPTC) and Power Pilot Training Course (PPTC) Cadet Selection

References:

1. CJCR Gp O 8060-7, Air Cadet National Training Selection Process
2. CJCR Gp O 5002-6, Cadet Selection Process

1. The Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group (CJCR Gp) staff routinely review established procedures to ensure they remain aligned with current best practices. A review of Ref. A has identified that the Order does not adequately reflect the current process in use to select cadets for the Glider Pilot Training Course (GPTC) and the Power Pilot Training Course (PPTC). Furthermore, International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) activities are currently paused. In consequence, Ref. A is cancelled effective immediately.
2. IACE participation remains suspended. A new selection process will be developed if the program resumes.
3. Ref. B remains in effect and is supplemented by the following interim directives for GPTC and PPTC selection:

Step 1 – Billet Allocation

4. Following an assessment of program needs, CJCR Gp Headquarters (CJCR Gp HQ) will:
   1. Assign billets by determining the number available, identifying the needs of the program and assigning the billets to the regions through the Operation Plan (OPLAN); and
   2. Establish quotas on the number of cadets who can apply for each course and the number of cadets who can be selected for each course from a single squadron.
5. Regional Cadet Support Units (RCSUs) must identify the regional needs that will guide the selection process, such as the distribution of billets within the region or the allocation of Air Operations priority ranking points during the file review.

Step 2 – Eligibility

6. Eligibility for these courses is based on the following criteria:
   1. For PPTC, cadets must:
      1. Be 17 years of age by 1 Sep of the year they attend PPTC,
      2. Weigh a maximum of 111.13 kg,
      3. Have completed, at the time of application, a minimum of Grade 10 or its equivalent Secondary 4/Senior 2),
      4. Have successfully achieved Proficiency Level 4 by 30 June of the current training year, and
      5. Have achieved a minimum score of 50% on the Qualifying Exam in the year of application.
   2. For GPTC, cadets must:
      1. Be 16 years of age by 1 Sep of the year they attend GPTC,
      2. Be within the following height and weight limitations:
         • Maximum weight of 90.72 kg,
         • Minimum weight of 40.82 kg,
         • Maximum height of 190.5 cm, and
         • Minimum height of 152.4 cm;
      3. Have completed, at the time of application, a minimum of Grade 9 or its equivalent (secondary 3/senior),
      4. Have successfully achieved Proficiency Level 3 by 30 June of the current training year, and
      5. Have achieved a minimum score of 50% on the Qualifying Exam in the year of application.
7. The following medical requirements shall apply:
   1. Cadets must be in possession of a valid category 1 or 3 Aviation Medical Certificate issued by Transport Canada. A category 4 medical certificate will not be accepted. Aviation Medical Certificates with limitations must be submitted to the National Cadet Air Operations (NCA Ops) section to confirm feasibility to accommodate,
   2. A copy of the medical certificate must be received by the applicable RCSU by midnight on the third Monday of May, and
   3. Cadets must not have any medical Participation Limitation entered in Fortress that would preclude them from attending a Cadet Training Centre (CTC) or from participating in flight training.
8. Other conditions that limit eligibility to apply:
   1. Cadets are not eligible if they reach their 19th birthday before the scheduled end of the course,
   2. Cadets are not eligible to reapply for a course they have previously attended; participation is permitted only once,
   3. Cadets are not eligible to apply for GPTC if they have previously participated in PPTC, and
   4. Cadets are not eligible to apply for either course if they have been cease-trained (removed from training) from PPTC or GPTC for any of the following reasons:
      1. Poor flying performance,
      2. Poor academic performance,
      3. Misconduct,
      4. Repeated air sickness,
      5. Voluntary withdrawal from the course, and
      6. Lack of effort or application;
   5. Cadets must be available for the scheduled duration of the activity; and
   6. Cadets must be recommended by their squadron’s Commanding Officer (CO).

Step 3 – Application

9. Each year, NCA Ops will develop and distribute the Qualifying Exam and instructions to RCSUs. The exam will be based on the National Ground School Program. Once the exam is complete, applications for GPTC and PPTC will open in FORTRESS. Cadets may apply for only one flying course per year.
10. During the application process, RCSUs will verify eligibility. The Squadron CO must rank their applicants in order of priority for each course, as this priority influences scoring during the file review. Local selection and ranking procedures must be in accordance with Ref. B.

Step 4 – Review

11. Selection for GPTC and PPTC will be based on three components:
    1. File Review (35%) – includes factors such as attendance to local training days, Regionally Directed Activities (RDAs) and Nationally Directed Activities (NDAs), rank, CTC qualifications, years in the program, staff cadet experience (PPTC only), CO priority, and Air Ops ranking,
    2. Qualifying Exam (40%) – based on National Ground School Program content. and
    3. Interview (25%) – conducted virtually by RCSUs in accordance with the Merit Interview Guide for Interview Board Members for the Air Cadet National Training Selection Process published annually by NCA Ops and distributed to regions by the end of January.
12. RCSUs will use the FORTRESS selection tool to apply scoring criteria. Maximum points for each file review factor are available on the GPTC/PPTC Selection Process SharePoint page. Interviews will be conducted following the completion of the exam and file reviews.

Step 5 – Selection, Notification and Management of Backfill

13. RCSUs will compile results from Step 4 to create a ranked list of selected cadets for each course, along with an appropriate number of backfills. Selections will be finalized and recorded in FORTRESS. If a squadron has submitted the maximum number of applications for an activity, after all steps are complete, including the interview, the lowest scoring applicant from that squadron will be listed as standby. Cadets listed as standby for GPTC or PPTC remain eligible for backfill, even if they have been selected for another summer training activity.
14. Cadets listed as standby will be used to fill vacancies as they arise, based on the regional selection list. If a cadet is on standby because their squadron reached its maximum selections, they will only be chosen if a previously selected cadet from that squadron withdraws or if no other candidates remain on the regional list. Should all standby options be exhausted, CJCR Gp HQ will reallocate the billet.
15. Questions regarding this directive may be directed to CJCR HQ NCA Ops O at NCAOps.OpsANC@cadets.gc.ca