KNOXVILLE - Three area teens recently experienced the thrill of aviation, through orientation flights with the Civil Air Patrol at McGhee Tyson Airport. The cadets from the Knoxville Composite Squadron flew a combined total of
4 hours in CAP’s sophisticated GippsAero GA8 Airvan and a Cessna 172.
Cadets Alexander Lee, and Amy Mills, eagerly await their chance to fly Civil Air Patrol’s Cessna 172; image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol |
When asked how she enjoyed her first flight, Cadet Amy Mills stated, “It was one of the best experiences of my life!” Cadet Alexander Lee, who was participating for the second time, said “I highly enjoyed my experience. I have learned a lot about flight preparation and flight operations.” Cadet Ezra Cota remarked, “I love being in the cockpit, I am really glad I
got the opportunity to fly.”
The hour long flights in both types of aircraft introduced the cadets to the science that makes flight possible. They learned about the physics of flight, navigation, weather, aircraft instruments, flight maneuvers, and more.
The cadets’ day began by meeting with their pilots and planning the day's flights. After thorough pre flight inspections of the airplanes, the cadets and pilots boarded their respective planes. The cadets learned how to use the aviation radios to communicate with the airport's control tower to get permission to taxi to the runway and take off. Once aloft and at a safe
altitude the pilots turned the flight controls over to the cadets and guided them through t urns, climbs, and other basic flight maneuvers.
Second Lieutenant Gary Brandt has been an orientation ride pilot for almost a year. He remarked, “I enjoy flying the cadets because it gives me the opportunity to share my passion for flying. To interact with these cadets and watch some of them go from being afraid to touch the controls to being excited about flying the plane gives me a sense of accomplishment. And best of all, seeing grins on their faces at the end of the flight and hearing them say they can't wait to go again”.
Major Rick McClellan, who is the Group 1 Cadet Orientation Flight Coordinator remarked, “My own personal interests in the Cadet Orientation Flight [COF] program emanates from being an educator and enjoying seeing young people being engaged in the learning process and getting excited . . . especially as it relates to flying. Also, being a former military Weap-on System Officer [WSO] in the back seat of F4's and having flying in my background for the last 50 years, I want to pass on my experiences to young people. There is a regiment and routine to flying that relates to living life. It is planned and orchestrated and therefore predictable . . . most of the time.”
CAP’s Cadet Program is open to youth aged 12 through 18. Additionally, there are volunteer opportunities for adults, pilots and non pilots alike. For more information about the Knoxville Composite Squadron, contact Captain Michael Gifford at 865-765-9882.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. CAP’s 65,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aero space/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 27,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.
