Col. John E. Mitchell (left), Wyoming Wing commander, explains the preflight process to aerospace education members Brett Morton and Susan Simons.
Photo by 2nd Lt. Richard Denison
2nd Lt. Richard Denison
Public Affairs Officer
492nd Emergency Services Composite Squadron
Wyoming Wing
WYOMING – A crisp fall day provided the perfect setting Saturday for Teacher Orientation Program flights out of Casper/Natrona County International Airport for three new Civil Air Patrol aerospace education members.
The trio – Brett Morton of Kelly Walsh High School, Amanda Reinhardt of Sagewood Elementary School and Susan Simons, Natrona County School District instructional coach – prepared for the experience by attending a seminar Friday on flight dynamics conducted by Col. John Mitchell, Wyoming Wing commander.
On Saturday they took part in a preflight briefing, followed by their flights.
Mitchell and 2nd Lt. David Slinger, safety officer for the 492nd Emergency Services Composite Squadron, piloted the orientation flights, allowing the teachers some “stick time” and providing them with extensive details on the operation of CAP aircraft and how they’re used for search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief and other missions.
The TOP Flight program is designed to provide educators with an unforgettable experience that allows them to share their enthusiasm in the classroom.
“This is more than a free flight,” Mitchell said. “We are hoping these teachers will help mentor their young students who are interested in a career in aviation and encourage them to get involved with CAP.”
After the orientation flights, the teachers were given tours of the Wyoming Veterans’ Memorial Museum and the Casper/Natrona International air traffic control tower and Terminal Approach Radar Control facility. They also had the opportunity to experience a Category III simulator flight at Crosswind Aviation.
