MOUNT VERNON — Four local teenagers, cadets with the Knox County Airport Cadet Flight of the Civil Air Patrol, experienced the thrill of aviation through Orientation Flights, at the Knox County Regional Airport this past Sunday, April 19.
The cadets flew a combined five hours on one of CAP’s advanced Cessna 182’s.
Cadet Senior Airman Lukas Yarman, of Mount Vernon, said of his first flight, “It was great! It was a little windy up there. I was surprised how much the wind can affect a small aircraft.”
The hour-long flights in the single engine Cessna aircraft introduced the cadets to the science that makes flight possible. They learned about navigation, weather, aircraft instruments, flight maneuvers and more.
“These flights are much more than taking off and going from point A to Point B,” says 1st Lt. John Morgan, one of the adult volunteers of the local CAP unit. “Each cadet has the opportunity to take a certain number of these “O-flights,” as we call them.
“Each O-Flight has a planned lesson, such as airport operations or navigation instruments for instance.”
He went on to explain that before the flight the pilot briefs the cadets on what the topic will be for that particular flight.
The cadets’ day began by helping pre-flight the aircraft. After taking off they turned south and climbed to about 2,500 feet, heading for the Newark-Heath Airport. During the non-critical stages of the flight, the cadets were able to take the controls of the aircraft.
After landing at Newark-Heath, the two cadets on board switched seats to allow each to take a turn at the controls.
“I really enjoy the opportunity to take these young cadets flying,” says 2nd Lt Jim Janik, one of the pilots flying that day. “For many, this is their first flight — and who knows, maybe that first flight will give them the dream of one day flying themselves!”
Lieutenant Janik, and Daniel Wilson, the two CAP pilots participating, volunteered their own time, while the Civil Air Patrol provided the aircraft and the fuel, at no cost to either the cadets or the pilots.
The cadets participating were Cadet Airman Abigail Hudson, Cadet Senior Airman (C/SrA) Benjamin Steele, C/SrA Lukas Yarman and C/SrA Seth Yarman. Assisting that day were Capt. Ronald Winget and 1st Lt. John Morgan.
The Knox County Airport Cadet Flight meets every Monday evening at 6 p.m. at the Knox County Airport terminal building. The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is open to youth ages 12 to 18.
The program focuses on Leadership, Aerospace Education, Physical Fitness and Character Development. For more information on the Cadet Program or adult volunteer opportunities, contact 1st Lt. John Morgan, CAP, at 740-263-1664.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation.
In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
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