By 2nd Lt. Diana Layton
Our local Potomac Highlands Composite Squadron worked together with North Carolina Wing and other West Virginia Wing members to complete a successful weekend of glider operations at Grant County Airport (W99) in Petersburg. Glider operations occur once a month from March until November, helping hundreds of Cadets soar.
This month’s operations included help from a fellow Mid-Atlantic Region Wing (North Carolina) to be successful. Regular glider weekends consist of a tow plane and the glider, both from West Virginia Wing.
However, both WV Wing tow planes were down for maintenance this month, so North Carolina Wing pilots brought up their tow plane and a few cadets to assist. In addition, multiple plane and glider pilots from different towns in West Virginia traveled to help cadet flying dreams come true.
September’s glider operation weekend allowed twelve cadets to soar above beautiful Grant County and take in all it has to offer. Glider Operations for Civil Air Patrol allow the cadets to soar, but also teaches them the fundamentals of flight. Civil Air Patrol gives young people the chance to become pilots of single engine aircraft and gliders. Since 2019, Cadet Wings Program through Civil Air Patrol has allowed 362 cadets to receive their pilot’s license.
The glider program is successful in maximizing the utilization and opportunity for increased cadet participation in flight training and orientation flights. To find out more information about Civil Air Patrol and all they offer to our community and youth, join us at the Grant County Airport on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm or visit the website www.gocivilpatrol.com. We hope to see you soon!
