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Carroll Squadron Cadets Soar in Day of Glider Flights
Frederick, MD Cadets from the Carroll Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) took to the skies Saturday, November 1st in an un-powered sail plane. The event, which took place at Frederick County Municipal Airport, was held to familiarize squadron cadets with glider flight operations. Second Lieutenant Kevin McHale of Finksburg, MD, served as project officer for the event. Lt. McHale coordinated with members of the Frederick Composite Squadron to fly 12 cadets in as many flights throughout the day. Towed to an altitude of 3,300 feet by a powered CAP tow plane, the glider was released and the cadet was free to fly under the supervision of an instructor glider pilot, seated behind the cadet. Each flight lasted approximately 20 minutes, allowing cadets to learn the basics of glider flight, approach, and landing. Were very excited to have this opportunity today, said Lt. McHale. Typically, our cadet orientation flights involve sending [the cadets] up in a powered aircraft such as our Cessna 172. Those flights are a lot of fun and the cadets learn a lot, but this is an opportunity to fly in an un-powered sailplane, which is quite a bit different. The sailplane is operated by the Maryland Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Because it is the only glider in the wing, squadrons schedule flight days for their members. But flying in a glider requires the help of many people and equipment, such as a qualified glider pilot to operate the glider, a powered aircraft to act as a tow plane, and a certified pilot to tow the glider up to altitude. A great deal of coordination, therefore, is required to make a glider flight happen. While on the ground, waiting cadets took turns preparing the glider for the next flight, assisting the flying cadet and instructor pilot into the glider, conducting safety briefings, and finally helping to maneuver the glider into position for the next take-off. Operating a glider involves a lot more than just flying it. There are a lot of ground activites that simply are not required with an aircraft capable of maneuvering under its own power. The result is that everyone has to work as a team to ensure the safety of the glider and its crew, McHale said. Its great to be able to give these young people an opportunity to do something that they otherwise wouldnt get to do. CAP, the official Air Force Auxiliary, is a nonprofit organization with more than 63,000 members nationwide. It performs 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 27,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. For information about the Carroll Composite Squadron, visit their web site at http://www.carrollcap.org.
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