Ga. cadets soar above Atlanta on orientation flights

 

 

(1)
Capt. Sam Fernandez of the Atlanta One Senior Squadron conducts a preflight inspection with Fulton Composite Squadron cadets.
Photo by Arlisa Fraser

(2)
(From left) Cadet Airman Brandon Fuller, Cadet Senior Airman Vaughn Fraser and Maj. Doug Prather go over paperwork before takeoff.
Photo by 1st Lt. Bill Joyner

(3)
The Fulton Composite Squadron cadets between orientation flights.
Photo by Arlisa Fraser


Maj. Mike Bell
Director of Cadet Programs
Georgia Wing

GEORGIA – Eight Fulton Composite Squadron cadets out of school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day used the break as an opportunity to learn about aviation and to soar over Atlanta on their orientation flights.

Maj.  Doug Prather, the Fulton unit’s operations officer, and Capt. Sam Fernandez, the Atlanta Senior One Squadron’s officer for finance and for personnel, served as pilots for the day, which turned out to be one of the area’s few clear days in January. 

Since many of the participating cadets are new to CAP, the flights marked their first experience in a light general aviation aircraft.

The day started with a safety briefing by Cadet Airman Brandon Fuller, designated cadet safety officer for the activity, who would be taking his fifth powered orientation flight. Then came Cadet Airman Roderick Rhone, who gave a weather briefing for the day’s flying.

The cadets were then taken out to the flight line, where they conducted a preflight inspection under Fernandez’ guidance. After that they were assigned flights and pilots.

With one cadet in the right seat and one in the back, the planes took off from Fulton County Airport and flew to either Cartersville Airport or West Georgia Regional Airport. Upon landing, the cadets switched seats for the ride back. 

While the cadets were waiting to fly, Maj. Mike Bell -- the Fulton squadron’s former deputy commander for cadets, now director of cadet programs for the Georgia Wing -- conducted an aviation ground school to keep their minds on aviation. Bell discussed aerodynamics, requirements for becoming a pilot, and different aviation organizations.

The cadets also got to listen to ground control and tower control and were able to hear the communications from the cockpit.

Capt. Jerry Ferrell, the squadron’s deputy commander for cadets, brought two young visitors and their family to the event. The pair -- Javion Melvin and his sister, Victoria Dark -- were so impressed that they subsequently joined up.

The cadets all appreciated being able to do something many of them had never before experienced, and they enjoying learning something in the process. “It was a day off of school, yet we learned something” said Cadet Airman Ahkiym Pogue, whose orientation ride was his first.

For the pilots, the senior members and the parents who provided support, the activity was a chance to give back to their community. King Day, after all, is not just a day of celebration – it is also a day of service. And what better way to serve youth than to introduce them to something new, fun and potentially a valuable resource for the future?

“It is an honor to fly the cadets today, and I am glad they had such an enjoyable experience,” Fernandez said.