Cadet Jordan Olsen of Gibsons recently returned from the regional gliding school (Pacific) on the basic aviation course.
Jordan, a member of 858 Skookumchuk Squadron, is one of 21 air cadets from across B.C. selected for the opportunity to complete the course in Comox. This course provides cadets with the fundamentals of aviation training by expanding aviation knowledge through learning, experience and exposure. The basic aviation course hopes to inspire cadets to further pursue aviation training while providing the groundwork necessary to be accepted into an advanced aviation course.
Throughout the course cadets learn radio communication, the principles of flight and propulsion, airmanship, meteorology and air navigation. They are also given the opportunity to tour the Comox air traffic control tower, 442 Search and Rescue Squadron and meet with the wildlife control officer to expand their knowledge of aviation as a whole.
The course culminates with cadets building model aircraft out of balsa wood and completing the “round the pole” challenge where they must correctly assemble the aircraft in order for it to electrify and fly around the pole.
“If your goal is to become a pilot, this is an awesome course to take. It could be the first step towards a career in aviation,” Jordan said.
“Like the cadet program itself, this course lays the foundation for so many of the concepts that the cadets will grasp as they move forward in their lives,” added Lt.-Col Keith Stewart, commanding officer of RGS (Pacific). “Fitness, leadership, citizenship and stimulating an interest in aviation and in the RCAF — it all happens on this course. For all cadets, this course is the beginning of a career in aviation or in any one of thousands of different career paths they may choose to follow.”
Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a national co-educational youth organization sponsored in partnership by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada. In B.C. there are approximately 3,700 air cadets enrolled in 57 squadrons. The B.C. Ministry of Education, Skills and Training recognizes the cadet program as a “ministry-accepted External Course” for which students may receive graduation credit.
If you are interested in joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron contact 858 Skookumchuk Squadron’s Commanding Officer Lt. Sharon Goddard at 604-886-0847 or join the squadron Wednesdays at Davis Bay Elementary School starting Sept. 16.
