Gliding and power familiarization flying is just one of the aviation related subjects within the air cadet program.

Every spring, the Regional Cadet Air Operations (RCAOps) send the tow plane, a Cessna 182, and gliders from Oliver over to take cadets form Cranbrook and Elk Valley Squadrons for a flight in one of the air craft, sometimes both. They try to get all cadets up in the glider, beginning with newer cadets, while the senior cadets take flights in the tow plane.

Over the May Long Weekend, 22 cadets from 552 Key City Squadron, (Cranbrook , Kimberley, Creston) flew on Saturday and 18 cadets from 279 Elk Valley Squadron, (Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie) flew on Sunday.

The glider, a non-motorized aircraft, is pulled along the runway and into the air by the tow plane. At the correct altitude, the glider releases from the tow rope and floats in the air like a bird. It is very quiet and awe inspiring, it really gives you a different perspective. When the glider pilot is ready, he brings the glider in to land along the runway. Cadets are responsible for moving the glider into the best position to prepare it for flight. They are also responsible to push it off of the runway if necessary in between launches.

For many of these cadets it was their first opportunity to fly in one of the cadet aircraft, and for some, it was their first flight ever.

As cadets stepped out of the glider they were asked what they thought about their flight and several had difficulty putting it into words.

Leading Air Cadet (LAC) Sula Valdal said, “I don’t know how to describe it, but it was nice.”

LAC Kaeden vonWittgenstein stated: “it was pretty good, very cool seeing everything from the way up high.” And Air Cadet (AC) Erik Talbot said “my first flight was great, quiet and indescribable.”

Lead image: Cadets push the glider onto the runway. Photos submitted

Submitted by Capt. Lori-Lee Bott, Unit Public Affairs Representative, Kootenay Zone, Canadian Armed Forces

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