Local Youth Take to the Wild Blue Yonder with the Civil Air Patrol

Two area teens experienced the thrill of aviation, through orientation flights with the Civil Air Patrol at
the Gilmer County Airport, Sunday morning, March 11, 2012. The cadets flew a combined 3 hours in CAP’s sophisticated Cessna 172’s.

“It was awesome!”

reports Cadet James Jonason, also known to all as JJ, age 15, of Ellijay, Georgia. “

I never thought I would have this much fun and learn as much as I did today. I got to handle the controls and see what flying is all about.” “It was easier than I imagined”

said JJ.

The hour-long flights in 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.
The cadets’ day began by helping pre-flight their aircraft. Working with their pilot, they taxied their aircraft to Gilmer County Airport’s runway 21, completed their preflight checklist, gave it full throttle and took off, climbing to 4,500 feet. While aloft, it was the cadets who were handling the controls during the non-critical stages of the flight.

“You really have to pay attention when you’re at the controls,” explained Cadet Carson Masenthin, 16, of Ellijay, Georgia, “but once you get past your initial nervousness, it’s fantastic.”

Once they reached their assigned altitude, the cadets turned southwest and navigated to Dalton and Pickens Airports, completing their non-stop flight upon return to Gilmer County Airport.

CAP pilots, Major Eric Slocum, of Gainesville, Georgia and Captain Jonathon Hollada of Marietta, Georgia provided their expertise to the cadets with thorough safety, equipment and emergency procedures briefings before any CAP members approached the aircraft for their flights.

“I’ve been flying cadets for years, and it’s always exciting for me just to see the look on the kids’ faces,”

said pilot, CAP Major Eric Slocum, who with Captain Hollada volunteered their time, while the Civil Air Patrol provided the aircraft and fuel, at no cost to the cadets or the pilots.

Later, after completing all required documentation and cadet de-briefings, two CAP Senior members were able to fly the same route as the cadets had earlier Sunday morning. Upon their return to the airport, 2Lt. McSwain, 507 Cadet Deputy Commander and 2Lt. Altman, 507 Logistics Officer beamed about the flight and how the pilot instilled confidence in them during flight operations.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is open to youth aged 12 through 18. Additionally, there are volunteer opportunities for adults, pilots and non-pilots alike. For more information, contact 1Lt. Don Murray at 706-273-1553, or visit: www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com