Air Cadets at 581 Castlegar Sqn participate in a number of different training activities. Each cadet is placed in a Proficiency Level based on their Age, and are required to complete the mandatory and scheduled complementary training for their level. In addition to the required training cadets have the opportunity to participate in optional training such as Glider Familiarization Flights, Powered Aircraft Flights, Effective Speaking, First Aid, Range practice and extra-activities such as Duke of Edinburgh Program, swim nights, hikes, and overnight trips.
Below are the list of different subjects cadets receive lessons in at each level. Each topic will have a number of lessons that are experiential, such as Outdoor Survival, and classroom work such as Theory of Flight:
Cadets in Level One participate in the following Performance Objectives (PO):
- PO 100 – Positive Social Relations for Youth
- PO 101 – Citizenship
- PO 102 – Community Service
- PO 103 – Leadership
- PO 104 – Personal Fitness & Healthy Living
- PO 105 – Physical Activities
- PO 106 – Air Rifle Marksmanship
- PO 107 – General Cadet Knowledge
- PO 108 – Drill and Ceremonial
- PO 120 – CF Familiarization
- PO 121 – Canadian Aviation, Aerospace, Aerodrome Operations, and Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance Community Familiarization
- PO 129 – Radio Communication
- PO 130 – Aviation
- PO 140 – Aerospace
- PO 160 – Aerodrome Operations
- PO 190 – Aircrew Survival
Cadets in Level Two participate in the following Performance Objectives (PO):
- PO 201 – Citizenship
- PO 202 – Community Service
- PO 203 – Leadership
- PO 204 – Personal Fitness and Healthy Living
- PO 205 – Recreational Sports
- PO 206 – Air Rifle Marksmanship
- PO 207 – General Cadet Knowledge
- PO 208 – Drill
- PO 230 – Aviation History
- PO 231 – Principles of Flight
- PO 232 – Propulsion
- PO 240 – Aerospace
- PO 260 – Aerodrome Operations
- PO 270 – Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance
- PO 290 – Aircrew Survival
Cadets in Level Three participate in the following Performance Objectives (PO):
- PO 301 – Citizenship
- PO 302 – Community Service
- PO 303 – Leadership
- PO 304 – Personal Fitness and Healthy Living
- PO 305 – Recreational Sports
- PO 306 – Air Rifle Marksmanship
- PO 307 – General Cadet Knowledge
- PO 308 – Drill
- PO 309 – Instructional Techniques
- PO 320 – Canadian Forces Familiarization
- PO 331 – Principles of Flight
- PO 336 – Meteorology
- PO 337 – Air Navigation
- PO 390 – Aircrew Survival
- PO 340 – Aerospace
- PO 370 – Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance
Cadets in Level Three participate in the following Performance Objectives (PO):
- PO 400 – Positive Social Relations for Youth
- PO 402 – Community Service
- PO 403 – Leadership
- PO 404 – Personal Fitness & Healthy Living
- PO 405 – Recreational Sports
- PO 406 – Air Rifle Marksmanship
- PO 407 – General Cadet Knowledge
- PO 408 – Drill
- PO 409 – Instructional Techniques
- PO 420 – Canadian Forces Familiarization
- PO 431 – Principles of Flight
- PO 432 – Aero Engine Systems
- PO 436 – Meteorology
- PO 437 – Air Navigation
- PO 440 – Aerospace
- PO 490 – Aircrew Survival
The following Performance Objectives (PO) are required for Level Five:
- PO 501 – Citizenship
- PO 502 – Community Service
- PO 503 – Leadership
- PO 504 – Personal Fitness & Healthy Living
- PO 507 – General Cadet Knowledge
- PO 509 – Instructional Techniques
- PO 513 – Professional Development (Workshop)
- PO 514 – Professional Development (Individual Learning)