Springfield Composite Squadron
United States Air Force Auxiliary - Civil Air Patrol

Performing Missions for America
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SCOTT AFB OPEN HOUSE

11-12 Sept
Scott AFB, IL
 
 
 
 

 

 

OUR CADETS FLY AIRPLANES ON AIR FORCE EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS:  CADET ORIENTATION FLIGHTS

The Springfield Composite Squadron provides cadets with the opportunity to fly airplanes!  Yes, you read that correctly:  not just "fly in" airplanes, but really fly airplanes!

Information for Cadets Taking Orientation Flights and Their Parents:

For cadet orientation flights, we meet at the Illinois Division of Aeronautics, 1 Langhorne Bond Dr, Springfield, which is just north of the Air National Guard Base where we have our squadron meetings.  (Get map!)  Park in the lot and follow the sidewalk to the glass double doors.  There is a security desk just inside.  Let the guard know that you are with CAP and that you will be flying today.  If your pilot is not already there, he or she will be there at the appointed time.  Wait near the guard desk until your pilot arrives.

Parents and cadets can take pictures if they wish.  Please let the pilot know beforehand so that he or she can make plans to let you back into the building from the aircraft ramp once the photos are taken.

Cadets must be in uniform and have their CAP IDs with them in order to fly.  This is a CAP regulation and we cannot waive it.

If a flight must be canceled for weather or any other reason, the pilot will notify you as soon as possible. 

Parents or guardians of cadets should read the Fact Sheet for Moms and Dads.

In the Civil Air Patrol, aerospace education takes place in the cockpit as well as in the classroom!

As part of Civil Air Patrol's aerospace education mission, cadets under 18 years of age are allowed five front-seat rides in powered aircraft, plus five rides in gliders.  Cadets who have had all of their front-seat rides can ride along in the back seat as many times as they wish until they turn 18.  There is never a cost to the cadet or the cadet's parents/guardians for cadet orientation flights.  The United States Air Force funds these flights. 

COOL FACT:  These educational flights are funded by the U.S. Air Force and are designated as Air Force missions.  How many 12-18 year-olds can go to school on Monday morning and tell their friends they flew an Air Force mission over the weekend?!?  CAP cadets do it all the time!

Our squadron offers cadet orientation flights as often as pilots and aircraft are available and as long as there are cadets in the squadron (or Group 9) who have not taken all of the five powered flights available to them.

All flights allow the cadet to actually fly the airplane!  The CAP pilot will fly during all critical phases of the flight:  take-off, landing, ground maneuvering, etc., but once established in straight-and-level flight in smooth air, the cadet will fly the aircraft.  Each flight lasts for approximately one hour.  The CAP pilot will at all times remain the sole pilot-in-command of the aircraft. Safety is integral to everything we do!

The following documents describe in detail the cadet orientation flight program:

Our squadron does not have a glider, but cadets who attend the Illinois Wing Summer Encampment or Johnson Flight Academy stand a good chance of having the opportunity to fly gliders.

Cadets interested in becoming pilots should visit the National Cadet Special Activities web site:  http://ncsas.com.  Look for the "Aviation" category.

To find out more about cadet orientation flights and the Springfield Composite Squadron, please contact us!

Ready to join?  Here's how!


Springfield Composite Squadron
U.S. Air Force Auxiliary - Civil Air Patrol

Last modified: 09/02/10