Summer O flights Cessna and Gliders
October 6, 2023
Atwater California – Civil Air Patrol California Wing Composite Squadron 147.
As an introduction to airflight, aircraft operation and mission potential, Civil Air Patrol Cadets are provided and introductory flight experience in the powered aircraft most often used by Civil Air Patrol, Gliders, and Hot Air Balloons. These introductory flights are often the first experience these young volunteers have to the world of aviation. Two days of such operations were conducted in August and September.
On Saturday August 1, at Atwater Municipal Airport (formerly Castle Air Force B-52 Airbase) Captain Robert Moita provided a thorough briefing regarding the Cessna 182 aircraft used for the powered Orientation Flights. Six Cadets from Squadron 147 were provided a thorough explanation of the pre-flight procedures for the aircraft, aircraft instrumentation and communication equipment, passenger loading, pre-take off briefing, and a running explanation of flight operation as each sortie progressed. The continual use of check lists throughout each flight was demonstrated and read aloud which is standard practice throughout all phases of each flight as consistent with proper safe flight practice. These are the disciplines of every competent pilot in command in the conduct of flight operations.
Such demonstrations are meant to convey to these cadets the consistent professionalism inherent in safe flight operations whether in general (public) aviation, commercial air transport or military flight operations. Thus, Civil Air Patrol Orientation Flights are not simply a joyful first experience for these young cadets, but a real introduction to the professionalism demanded of all pilots, whether voluntary, employed, or enlisted in the functions of flying the aircraft we fly in search and rescue, mapping and surveying, or incident response in the conduct of Civil Air Patrol missions.
On August 19 the cadets met at Byron California Airport, home of one of the country’s oldest glider clubs, Northern California Soaring Society. There Van Hensen, Civil Air Patrol Glider Demonstration Pilot, provided thorough explanations of the unique nature of gliders, soaring, aircraft instrumentation. Also included in the briefing were the specific instrumentation related to the task of providing the glider pilot the unique information required to understand the real-time behavior of the aircraft in the airmass it is flying in during the flight. It is this instrumentation and information which allows the glider pilot to linger in rising air, and depart sinking air in order to gain and maintain altitude in these aircraft which do not have the engines found in powered aircraft. Special thanks also go to the Squadron’s Glider Tow Pilot that day, Captain Eric Choate. Each Cadet had to take and pass a “Wing Runner” course prior to the flight day. This training provided an introduction to aircraft handling and safety procedures specific to glider operations.