MOUNT VERNON — A number of area teens experienced the thrill of aviation, through orientation flights with the Civil Air Patrol at the Knox County Airport on Sunday, Dec. 21.
Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Knox County Airport Cadet Flight flew three hours in one of CAP’s sophisticated Cessna 182’s.
After a thorough pre-flight inspection of the single engine aircraft, the approximately hour-long flights (in the single engine Cessna) introduced the cadets to the science that makes flight possible.
They learned about the parts of the aircraft, navigation, aviation weather, aircraft instruments, flight maneuvers, and more.
After taking off from the Knox County Airport and reaching an altitude of about 2,500 feet, the cadets were able to briefly take control of the aircraft during non-critical stages of flight.
The aircraft then proceeded to the Newark-Heath Airport where the cadets were briefed on landing procedures. After a brief stop in Newark, they took off once again to return to Mount Vernon.
CAP pilots provided the cadets with a syllabus of learning objectives for each flight, which included ground handling and safety, the airplanes anatomy, principles of flight, flight controls, airport operations and more.
For Cadet Jenna Jurkowitz, a 10th grade student at Mount Vernon High School, this was an opportunity to learn more about what it takes to be a pilot, something she has wanted to do since she was 8 years old.
“I’ve been in an airplane before,” said Cadet Jurkowitz, “but I was surprised when I was allowed to take the controls during the flight.
“This is definitely something I want to do again.”
Orientation Flights are just one part of the Aerospace Education component of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, in addition to aerospace learning modules and achievements, the completion of which keeps the cadets advancing through the overall program.
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These “O-Flights” place the cadet in the cockpit, where the aviation fundamentals they have learned in textbook and classroom activities come to life in an exciting way.
Other aspects of being a CAP Cadet include Leadership, Character Development and Physical Fitness.
Civil Air Patrol Pilots Daniel Wilson and Jim Janik, volunteered their time, while the Civil Air Patrol provided the aircraft and fuel, at no cost to the cadets or pilots.
The area youth participating included Cadet Jenna Jurkowitz, Cadet Baylee Mitchell, Cadet Airman Benjamin Steele, Cadet Airman Asher Bressi and Cadet Airman Griffin Davies.
The Knox County Airport Cadet Flight meets every Monday evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Knox County Airport terminal building, 6481 Kinney Rd., Mount Vernon.
The CAP Cadet Program is open to youth ages 12 through 18. Additionally, there are volunteer opportunities for adults, pilots and non-pilots alike.
For more information, contact 1st Lt. John Morgan, CAP at 740-263-1664, or visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com
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