In our wing there is virtually no shooting opportunities for my cadets. There is the occasional L98 course on and I have cadets bid everytime but they are never selected due to the huge amount of cadets bidding and thats just getting a WHT. There has been no air rifle or L144 training or live shooting in nearly 2 years now and no clay target shooting either. It is very frustrating and I wanted to see if its possible to speak to another wing for opportunities. As it is to attend anything we have to travel alot so I have no problem with this. But the issue is I know my wing would have big problem if I was to speak to another wing , so I am not too sure what to do really i have so many cadets keen to shoot and nothing is happening.
Edit: I do apologise, the fact the majority of “lacking opportunities in this area” posts come from cadets I’d jumped to that conclusion all too quickly… apologies!
And this, people, is why I should be banned from ACC in the hour immediately before and after going to sleep/waking up on “tired ash is an idiot” grounds!
That’s a shame, your Wing had some of the most active CFAVs in clay target shooting not that long ago. I’ll see what I can find out.
For air rifle shooting, have you anyone interested in doing the AR course, the new SATT is really proactive, have a look at their page on Sharepoint for course information.
1 Like
I actually applied for the AR course this year literally so i could give our cadets at least air rifle opp and hopefully get the squadron range up and running again after been closed for years. I was approved by my wing commander to go on the course but haven’t heard anything since but then again I have also been begging for the last year to both shooting officers for personally some time on AR range in particular to get more experience and I have had absolutely nothing and have given up. Which is why I am asking about reaching out to another wing if it would be a possibility.
The only time ever see the likes of the clay target trained cfavs is at camp which i spent a day with them last year but apart from camp there has been no opportunities in the wing to do it. I can only assume they are only offering it to their own squadrons and thats it.
Do you know of any local units with qualled staff and a range?
It may well be possible depending on who’s local to you to sidestep wing level events and do a “pretty please can we partner up get some of my kids shooting with your range and staff”, especially if perhaps you or one of your colleagues had some other PTS qual you could trade back to the other unit?
No there is nothing locally and I only know of 1 AR range still active in the wing which is what I have been asking many times for and got no where with it.
What Wing is it?
Also, consider attending courses with other SATTs if it will move things along quicker.
1 Like
wouldn’t to say what wing it is on here but region is S&N.I
I’m not sure where you are, but I have a feeling it’s SNI from memory.
This is not going to be exclusive to you, one of the challenges here is the length of training, and the staffing requirements, combined with logistics of weapon access & movements.
I’ve been unable to run any IWT in 2026 to date due to challenges from my Parent Station, hopefully this is now resolved and we can try to get more organised for H2.
Absolutely do, reach out to the Region Shooting Officer, and the neighbouring Wing Shooting Officers - to avoid upset, I would keep your Wing Shooting Officer on CC.
A lot of quick fire questions to clarify some things:
Is the course still in the future?
Did you apply via the shooting portal?
Have you contacted the SATT Adj for updates if you applied to a specific course that is in the future?
Have you checked the SATT Calendar for course dates you can apply to?
[quote=“Giminion, post:11, topic:17208”]
A lot of quick fire questions to clarify some things:
Is the course still in the future? Yes still shown on the calendar.
Did you apply via the shooting portal? Yes and was approved by my shooting officer which is the last thing I seen.
Have you contacted the SATT Adj for updates if you applied to a specific course that is in the future? No i haven’t contacted them as of yet which i will do that first.
Have you checked the SATT Calendar for course dates you can apply to?
The course is still on the calendar.
[/quote]
1 Like
Why not approach your local smallbore target shooting club? This is specifically allowed by MOD Regs, confirmed by the National Shooting lead if conducted as a civilian activity. This might give them some .22 live fire cartridge shooting or air rifle.
That’s a ”yes - but” Clubs have to be Home Office approved and that means that Notes 15 and 16 of the Criteria for Approval apply for cartridge rifle. You have to find sufficient full members to volunteer their time for 3-4 hours if any significant activity is organised. That’s before you address the issue of finding range time. Air is more straightforward, but still requires supervision by the club.
exmpa
All smallbore target shooting clubs HAVE, BY LAW, to be Home Office Approved to exist in any shape or form.
Yes you need club volunteers but any sensible club should be keen to encourage juniors into the sport. Clubs are notoriously bad at marketing themselves! Look at the NSRA website to find clubs near to you. They will provide clubs guns and ammo.
1 Like
Not true, Home Office Approval is required for clubs to accept probationary members. You may form a rifle club that accepts only FAC holders without holding a Home Office Approval. Alternatively you may choose to operate under S11(4) which has advantages as well as disadvantages.
exmpa
If you want to run a rifle club with no ability to take on new members who have no FAC then good luck to you as you are destined for closure as your members die off. It might be possible if you say so but hardly likely to be successful if they cannot take on beginners!
The exemption for Miniature Rifle Clubs has been abolished as all now have to be subject to FAC legislation and hold a club FAC.
If you can’t find it or want an update then email James Preston on im.tdt. He administers the booking system and is a thoroughly nice chap so will be able to help.
Each SATT works differently here , so this SATT may not allocate any places until 6 weeks out, while others will allocate first come first served.
This can mean you apply early and hear nothing until the JIs are issued - at which point you’ve assumed you don’t have a place / forgotten you applied and double booked yourself
I chatted to a friend on that Sqn last night about clays and they don’t do as much as they used to or would want to, with CACE they can’t get safety vehicles or VA so it’s mostly now only on larger activities, wing camps etc as its easier. The staff who run the clays also do various other activities so there is a big pull on their time and they just can’t do everything.