Nebraska and Iowa Wing offer Powered and Glider Orientation flights for cadets in September
In the early morning of Saturday, September 10th, Several Omaha Composite Squadron and Burke High Schoool cadets, along with pilots from the Nebraska Wing, departed in two CAP aircraft and headed towards Ames, Iowa for combined NE-IA Glider Orientation flights.
Cadets soar in the midwest skies as part of the Nebraska/Iowa Wing Orientation Flight program.
The CAP glider was provided by the Iowa Wing, and the CAP Cessna 172 with a qualified tow pilot was used to tow the glider into the air. Each Cadet was accompanied by a certified CAP glider pilot. Cadets were familiarized with preflight checklists, glider launch and release operations as well as the principles of soaring once inside the cockpit. Each cadet received at least one Powered and two Glider orientation flights.
Cadets learn about glider launch operations and serve as wing walkers during launch.
Cadets are taught how to assist the towing operation by holding the wing of the aircraft parallel to the ground and running along as the aircraft begins to roll and gain enough speed that the aircraft control surfaces become effective in controlling the glider.
Cadet Rodriquez and LtCol Peterson prepare for one of the many glider flights.
The squadron would like to thank Lt. Col Dan Peterson and Capt. Whit Bonifant for taking time out of their weekend to dedicate an entire day to introduce our cadets to one of the most amazing aspects of flying.
Cadet Fuller smiles through the cockpit air vent prior to launch.
Cadets are taught that the preflight checklist is an integral part of every flight.
