Air cadets soared to new heights this summer in Bonnyville.
Through the Air Cadet League of Canada, cadets aged 12 to 15-years-old from across Canada took part in the general training and basic aviation camps held in Cold Lake.
Cadets travelled by bus from 4 Wing to the Bonnyville airport for training. Normally, the flying portion is conducted at the Cold Lake Airport, however, this summer it had to be moved due to construction.
“They’re brought around for familiarization flights, which basically means that we bring them up for a quick flight, usually about 20 minutes,” explained civilian instructor Rebecca Beylerian.
The camps can last anywhere from two to three weeks and had groups as large as 30 take part.
General training is meant to introduce participants to air cadet activities, such as marksmanship, music, and aircrew survival, while basic aviation covers subjects such as radio communication, meteorology, and air navigation.
Beylerian enjoyed using the Bonnyville Airport, and felt she couldn’t have found a better location for this year’s camp.
“The facility is great. The bathrooms are great, the fuel is great, there’s enough traffic around that you can show the cadets different planes, and the people here have just been fantastic. I’ve been so happy with the facility, and just how nice the people are here.”
For 16-year-old cadet Jermaine Kimani everything he was taught was a little overwhelming in the first couple of days.
“I learned a lot about engines that I had no idea about, and about the different axes of an aircraft. I also learned about the different components, went over the phonetic alphabet, and flight instruments,” recalled the Calgary-native, adding the flight instruments were his favourite lesson.
Air cadets are expected to gain a basic knowledge of aviation and camp life by the end of the summer programs.
John Vardy, Bonnyville Flying Club member, said the local flying club was excited to have the program use the facilities.
“One of our main goals of our flying group is to promote aviation, and if we can get the cadets started like that it’s really good for promoting aviation. So, we’re really happy about that,” he expressed.
Flight Sgt. Robert Glover was one of the instructors taking participants on familiarization flights. He said the trips applied what the cadets were learning in the classroom to a real life situation.
He added, “Even if all they do is sit back and enjoy the view… that’s great, but if they want to use it as inspiration to become pilots, that’s even better. (It’s) just for them to learn something, or to gain an appreciation for flying.”
Fellow instructor, Flight Sgt. Dominic Donato, agreed.
“My main goal with them is to pass on my love of aviation, and hopefully inspire them to pursue the same path that I did through the cadet program, because that’s a fantastic program. It allows you to get your license, and it’s really a good time so I’m really hoping to pass on my love of aviation.”
New groups of cadets will be in the area until mid-August when the summer camps officially wrap up for the season.
