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Carroll Cadet Earns Wings

CAP Cadet Captain Rachel Gibbs poses next to a Civil Air Patrol aircraft similar to one she flew solo in at Maryland Wing Cadet Solo School.

By 2d Lt Brenda Reed
Public Affairs Officer
Posted July 15, 2004

Cadet Captain Rachel Gibbs, a member of the Carroll Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, received her solo pilot wings on July 10, 2004. The pinning ceremony was the culmination of the week-long Maryland Wing Cadet Solo School, held in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Gibbs, 17, competed against other Maryland cadets to earn one of the six slots at the school. While at the school, cadets received ground school training along with flying time. At the end of the week, cadets took the FAA Private Pilots written test, in which Cadet Gibbs was the only cadet to earn a perfect score.

During the Solo School, Cadet Gibbs was able to solo twice, both times at night.   She earned the nickname "Night-Hawk E20" for her night flying and landing abilities.   While her two solo flights were her personal highlights of the week, she spent the air time concentrating on everything her instructor had taught her instead of enjoying the flight. "I remember thinking after landing that it's so much easier to land an airplane without an instructor in the right seat," said Gibbs.

Cadet Captain Gibbs is the Cadet Commander of the Carroll Composite Squadron, which meets in Westminster. She joined Civil Air Patrol because of her desire to fly. She is a homeschooled senior in Gettysburg and plans to attend college with the goal of becoming an Air Force officer.

Cadets in Civil Air Patrol can receive both powered and glider flights along with basic aerospace education. There are opportunities to get advanced training.   Other activities in CAP include emergency services training, search and rescue opportunities, and leadership training within the cadet program. Prospective cadets, ages of 12-18,and their parents are invited to visit the squadron's weekly meetings each Tuesday at the Army Reserve Center on Malcolm Drive in Westminster. Additional information can be found at www.carrollcap.org.