09/09/2026
✈️ Beds & Cambs Wing at Air Charter Expo 2026
Cadets from across Beds & Cambs Wing, supported by our volunteer staff, had the opportunity to spend the day at Air Charter Expo 2026 (ACE’26) at London Biggin Hill Airport.
ACE is The Air Charter Association’s dedicated conference and exhibition for the air charter industry, bringing together aircraft operators, charter companies, brokers, airports, manufacturers and the many specialist businesses that support private and business aviation.
For our cadets, it was an opportunity to experience a very different side of the aviation industry.
🛩️ So, what is charter and private aviation?
Unlike scheduled airlines operating fixed routes and timetables, charter aviation provides aircraft for specific journeys and requirements. That can include private and business travel, group transport, specialist cargo, medical and aeromedical flights, alongside many other bespoke aviation operations.
The ACE’26 static display demonstrated just how diverse this sector can be, with aircraft ranging from business jets and turboprops through to larger group-charter aircraft and helicopters.
During the morning, our cadets undertook some light duties supporting the event, welcoming visitors as they arrived and handing out the ACE’26 exhibition bags.
After a busy morning, the afternoon gave them some well-earned time to explore the exhibition themselves.
Cadets were able to climb aboard a selection of aircraft, look around their flight decks and cabins, and, most importantly, speak directly with the crews, operators and businesses that make this part of the aviation industry work.
They also bumped into a few familiar faces along the way, including OC 615 VGS, as well as some familiar faces from the world of online aviation.
Beyond the aircraft themselves, cadets had the opportunity to meet some of the many supporting organisations behind the industry. ACE’26 brought together companies involved in everything from aircraft operations and maintenance to airports, ground handling, flight support, fuel, technology, catering and other specialist services.
For our cadets, this was a chance to see that a career in aviation can extend far beyond the traditional airline or military routes, and to discover another part of an enormous and diverse industry.
The verdict from the cadets was clear: a great day, a great experience and definitely something they would recommend to others.
A huge thank you to the ACE’26 organisers for once again extending the annual invitation to RAF Air Cadets, and to London Biggin Hill Airport for hosting us.
We really appreciate the opportunity to give our young people access to another side of aviation and the people who make it happen. ✈️
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
Central & East Region Air Cadets
