The excitement was palpable, as the teens followed their pilot on his inspection of the aircraft exterior, hanging on every word of explanation, eager to learn what it was that they were examining -- and why it was important. That moment of climbing into the aircraft cabin, actually fastening the safety belt, and donning the headset, however, electrified them in a rapture of excitement. Throughout the weekend, that particular instant inspired universal ear-to-ear grins, as the realization dawned on them that they were about to enter a parallel universe – the magical world of flight.

That “parallel universe” is not without its hazards, as is the case with driving an automobile, balancing on a skateboard, or even riding a bicycle. The Civil Air Patrol recognizes that, and sets very high standards for the pilots who fly orientation flights. Each pilot must meet stringent basic experience requirements before even being considered for the position. Once those basic qualification and experience requirements are met, before ever boarding their first cadet, the pilots undergo rigorous training, must pass a written exam on rules and regulations, and must demonstrate proficiency during a very structured check flight with a CAP evaluation pilot.

But safe and proficient flying is not enough to get that O-flight pilot rating. There’s another factor considered as well, even though it may not show up in any written exam. It’s the pilot’s love of flying and his/her ability to express that in words and actions during the cadets’ flights. Some of the pilots flew all day – both Saturday and Sunday – giving freely of their time and talent to provide cadets with a life-changing (or at least immensely enjoyable) experience. To those who love flying and want to share that fascination with young people, it is hardly a sacrifice.

For all the excitement associated with the O0flights, these were just one of several events scheduled for the Group III Orientation Flight Weekend. Most of the cadets arrived early Saturday morning with their camping gear, prepared to spend Saturday night on the airport grounds. Throughout the weekend, those not airborne or preparing to fly were immersed in a variety of activities, including Flight-line Marshaller training, rocketry, group leadership training exercises, drill and ceremonies, and Color Guard training (for those either involved or interested in becoming involved in that specialized activity). Adult leaders and their cadet assistants provided tasty, filling meals coming out of the “mess tent,” as other adults busied themselves instructing and supervising cadet activities.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

[1] A plane of yesteryear gets a bath, to the cadets' delight. Does it really fly? [2] Clear for takeoff are the magic words that often change the course of a young person's life. [3] The flight might be over, but this one could be the beginning of a love affair with aerospace. [4] Cadets drill in Honor Guard practice. [5] A fascinating history of rocketry lesson, al fresco.

In a back room, ensconced within the airport’s office complex, far removed from the hustle and bustle outside, a team of several adult members directed and monitored the flight activity, keeping a close eye on every aspect of flight operations. Here, cadets also had a chance to participate -- they trained and worked as radio operators, under adult supervision, maintaining air-ground communications with the pilots.

There is a guaranteed formula for success – give teens something that moves at great speed or goes “boom,” and you’ve got their undivided attention!  Working with rockets meets both these criteria, even if the thing that moves at great speed is a lowly drinking straw or a piece of Styrofoam pipe insulation, and the “boom” comes from a plastic canister containing water with an Alka Seltzer tablet added. These unlikely “rocket components” are part of the introduction to rocketry (Phase I), and teach in understandable terms some very complex laws of physics.

   Cadets had the opportunity to build and fly rockets propelled by dissolving Alka Seltzer tablets, compressed air, and rubber bands – while the adult CAP instructor explained the laws of physics demonstrated by these simple components. After their experience with “fizzy rockets” and “stomp rockets,” they moved on to the “real thing” – a small rocket assembled by the cadets, fitted to fly with a pre-manufactured small rocket motor (a required exercise, part of the Phase II curriculum). The third phase of the CAP Rocketry Program will occur in early May, as cadets from all over North Texas gather to assemble and launch much larger rockets powered by real rocket fuel. (Largely, this event has been funded by a generous donation from the Dallas Chapter of the Air Force Association.)

As sunset approached on Sunday evening, weary, occasionally sun-reddened cadets and adults gathered their gear and prepared for the return trip home. They were tired, dusty, and boundlessly happy. They had directed ground movement of aircraft, marched in formation, assembled and flown rockets, practiced team problem-solving, and gone flying -- even "had the controls." What a weekend!

 

  A student reporter from the Red Oak School's TV Network spent several hours on Saturday shadowing members of the Red Oak Hawks Cadet Squadron, videotaping interviews that she would later edit for use on the school network. As Cadet Tanner Caffee, one of the Red Oak students, exited from the aircraft after his flight, while she videotaped him, the reporter asked him, point blank, “What would you like to say to your fellow students who are not members of the Civil Air Patrol?” Cadet Caffee’s huge smile spoke volumes, which in his immense delight he summarized in a single word, "JOIN!"

This Group III-wide event gathered cadets and adult members from Black Sheep Composite Squadron (Mesquite), Waxahachie Talon Composite Squadron, Addison Eagles Composite Squadron (Dallas), Crusader Composite Squadron (Grand Prairie), Waco Composite Squadron, Apollo Composite Squadron (Austin), Irving Composite Squadron, and the Red Oak Hawks Cadet Squadron. 

(Lt Col Gary Stevens)

(C/2d Lt Tiffany Hamm)