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Air Cadets take flight
The weather was excellent for flying over the Victoria Day Long Weekend in Cranbrook.
Cadets from 279 Elk Valley (Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie); 904 Kootenai (Creston); and 552 Key City (Cranbrook) Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadrons took to the skies for familiarization flying in the Air Cadet Gliders and tow plane.
On the field, cadets have many responsibilities to ensure we have an excellent Gliding Day.
A glider is a heavier than an aircraft and is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces and whose flight does not depend on engine. After the mandatory safety briefing, cadets push the gliders out to the launch site, and onto the runway for takeoff.
As the glider is lined up with the tow plane, the tow rope is hooked up. Cadets use hand signals to let the pilots know that each plane is ready for launch. As the tow plane increases speed for takeoff, the Glider begins to lift off the ground. When the glider has landed, cadets retrieve it from the runway, pushing it back onto the grass to the safety zone. Teamwork is essential to carry out this sequence of events all day.
On average, cadets receive a 10-minute flight in the glider, though they feel that it was longer. The flight staff aims to provide every cadet a flight in the glider or tow plane, and sometimes both. This weekend all three squadrons had a majority of cadets taking their first flight in a glider, and for some it was also their first flight in an airplane.
Familiarization flying is only one component of the Air Cadet program, we also focus on navigation, survival, drill, marksmanship, rocketry, public speaking, community service, orienteering and a lot more.
The aim of the National Cadet Program is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promote physical fitness and stimulate the interest of youth in sea, land and air activities of the Canadian Forces. East Kootenay communities that have an Army Corp are Golden, Invermere, Fernie, Cranbrook and Creston. Air Squadrons are in Elk Valley (Elkford, Sparwood, & Fernie), Cranbrook and Creston. Canadian youth aged 12 -18 are encouraged to learn more about the cadet program in their community. Though the program is military based, there is no obligation for a cadet to join the forces.
The Cadet program is a community-based organization that requires the support of dedicated adult leaders to be successful. Adult leaders are need to train, administer, and supervise the youth involved in the program. Training, pay and uniforms are provided for those that choose to join the Canadian Armed Forces as a Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) Officer.
CIC Officers are not required to deploy overseas or be operational members of the Canadian Armed forces. They are community youth leaders, making a difference at home.
The skills acquired through training as a CIC officer are transferrable to you regular employment.
Interested adults can become volunteers with their local corps or squadrons while going through the enrollment process.
Adults, if you are interested in becoming a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer, or if you would like to hear about the opportunities available in your community to assist a local Cadet Corp or Squadron, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
Lead image: LAC Wyatt Collinson prepares for his first flight. Photos submitted