CAP cadet program inspires youth about aviation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Brenden Shower, right, Civil Air Patrol instructor, shows CAP cadets Airman 1st Class Michael McDougall, center, and Airman Devin Geoffray, left, the flight path on a local map during a flight orientation at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2012. Quarterly orientations help cadets become familiar with basic aerospace fundamentals, aircraft safety and ground handling procedures and inspections, while also cultivating an interest in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrea Salazar)

CAP cadet program inspires youth about aviation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Civil Air Patrol cadets Airman 1st Class Michael McDougall, center, and Airman Devin Geoffray, left, conduct a pre-flight inspection with Capt. Brenden Shower, right, CAP instructor on a Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft prior to an orientation flight at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2012. Cadets at Yokota not only participate in orientation flights but also attend weekly meetings and activities held by senior CAP members. Information taught at meetings includes learning and demonstrating drill commands, leadership skills, aerospace education and military customs and courtesies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrea Salazar)

CAP cadet program inspires youth about aviation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Civil Air Patrol cadets Airman 1st Class Michael McDougall and Airman Devin Geoffray, prepare for take-off in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft during an orientation flight at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2012. Orientation flights are part of the CAP cadet program curriculum and familiarize cadets with general aviation and aerospace fundamentals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrea Salazar)

CAP cadet program inspires youth for aviation

Published May 31, 2012
By Senior Airman Andrea Salazar
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The smaller buzz of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft may be hard to hear over the roar of the 374th Airlift Wing's C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft, but that buzz is important to young future aviators at Yokota.

The Civil Air Patrol cadet Program uses the Skyhawks for flight orientation as part of a larger curriculum developing young people to become responsible citizens and aerospace leaders.

The flight orientation program features five different syllabus plans ranging from basic ground handling, pre-flight inspections and flight controls, to more advanced lessons, such as how an aircraft flies and how weather affects the flight.

"The goal for the orientation flights is not necessarily to teach cadets to fly, but to develop a passion for aviation," said Capt. Brenden Shower, CAP senior member and instructor.

The CAP holds orientation flights quarterly to keep cadets progressing to the next section of the syllabus.

"I'm excited to fly and in the future, I really want to be a pilot," said cadet Airman Devin Geoffray.

Civil Air Patrol cadets at Yokota not only participate in orientation flights, but also attend weekly meetings and activities held by senior CAP members including learning and demonstrating drill commands, leadership skills, aerospace education and military customs and courtesies.

Members wear modified versions of the Air Force uniform, hold rank and grade and are required to maintain physical fitness standards in addition to being tested on their knowledge of leadership and aerospace subjects at each promotion opportunity.

Although there are other youth programs such as Boy Scouts of America and the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; CAP's cadet program is exclusive in that it uses aviation as a cornerstone.

"I've flown for over 35 years," said Shower, "and I really love to see and instill that passion for aviation in others."

For more information about Yokota's cadet program and Civil Air Patrol visit http://yokotacap.com/ and http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/.