Civil Air Patrol cadets test knowledge of gliders

The Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is an official auxiliary of the United States Air Force made of a diverse group of volunteers who serve the community through aerospace education, emergency services and a cadet program.

The CAP hosted the Alaska Wing Summer Glider Academy at Clear Air Force Station, an Alaska Air National Guard site, earlier this summer, to teach cadets how to glide.

The Glider Academy puts the cadet’s aerospace knowledge to the test in the air and on the ground as they strive to earn their solo and ‘pre-solo’ wings.

Due to CAP regulations prohibiting cadets from flying solo at their first academy, ‘pre-solo’ wings are awarded to individuals who went through an entire flight from takeoff to landing without direction or input from the instructor, but if it is their second time at the academy they are able to earn their solo wings.

The academy provided 402 glider flights including three cadet’s first solo flights, eight pre-solo cadet flights and 25 cadet orientation rides for 17 CAP cadets.

Every flight used one of two Cessna 182 tow planes and either a Blanik L-23 or Schweitzer SGS 2-33 glider.

Gliders are light-weight engine-less aircraft that rely on tow planes to get into a briefed altitude. Gliders are attached by a towrope and releasing it is difficult and dangerous so it requires careful coordination, but when it is released the two-person glider is under control of the cadet and instructor. Their goal is to stay aloft in the changing air currents and eventually enter the airport traffic pattern, and land.

The cadets were housed at Clear Air Force Station for two weeks with 10-hour long days starting as early as 5 a.m. If the weather permitted, each cadet could fly three to four times a day. Between flights, the cadets would help by launching and catching the gliders. One of their off-duty activities at Clear was the annual Glider Academy soccer game to relieve stress and have fun.

All volunteer members have the opportunity to participate in activities such as honor guard, survival training, search and rescue, disaster relief and flight training (powered and glider). As cadets, these volunteers learn discipline through drill and to work as a team with valuable lessons like first aid and buddy care.

Teens age 12 and older are eligible to become cadets; adults may volunteer as senior members.

For more information, call 350-7951.