Cadet Mercedez Skoglund of Oliver spent her summer at the Regional Gliding School (Pacific) on the advanced aviation course.
Skoglund, a member of 232 Big Horn Squadron, is one of 26 air cadets from across British Columbia selected for the opportunity to complete the advanced aviation course.
This course increases cadet knowledge and skill in aviation and builds on the basic aviation course. Upon completion of the advanced aviation course, cadets become eligible for instructor and team leader positions within the air cadet program.
Throughout the summer, cadets take advanced courses in radio communication, principles of flight and propulsion, airmanship, meteorology, air navigation and instructional techniques. They are also given the opportunity to tour the Comox Terminal Air Traffic Control Unit and 442 Search and Rescue Squadron to expand their knowledge of aviation as a whole.
The advanced aviation course hopes to inspire cadets to further pursue specialized aviation training while providing the skill and subject matter knowledge necessary to be accepted into an advanced aviation course such as the Glider Pilot Scholarship.
When asked what the advanced aviation course meant to her, Skoglund said, “My favourite part of this course was all the flying and aviation experience I received. The people I met were also amazing and it was so nice to be around other aviation enthusiasts.”
Like the cadet program itself, this course lays the foundation for so many of the concepts that the cadets will grasp as they move forward in their lives. Fitness, leadership, citizenship, and stimulating an interest in aviation and in the RCAF – it all happens in this course.
“For all cadets, this course is the beginning of a career in aviation, or in any one of thousands of different career paths which they may choose to follow,” said Lt.-Col Keith Stewart, commanding officer of RGS (Pacific).
Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a national co-educational youth organization sponsored in partnership by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada.
In British Columbia there are approximately 3,700 air cadets enrolled in 57 squadrons.
The BC Ministry of Education recognizes the cadet program as a “ministry-accepted external course” for which students may receive graduation credit.
If you are interested in joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, contact 232 Big Horn Squadron’s Commanding Officer Capt. Ralph (778-515-2440) or join the squadron Wednesdays at the hangar on Cessna Street starting on September 16.
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