Members of the Ace Basin Composite Squadron were spotted in the red, white, and blue Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft last week, as two of the newest cadet members received their first orientation flight — part of the membership benefits that come to cadets ages 12+ when they join the organization.
Cadet Airman Piper McClellan and her brother Cadet Airman Lincoln McClellan joined Civil Air Patrol in the fall of 2019, and recently received their first orientation flight. During the orientation flight, each of the cadets got the opportunity to be in control of the aircraft while it was in the air — a very exciting experience for both cadets. Prior to the orientation flight, Captain Piotr Urbanski, a Civil Air Patrol member from the Grand Strand Composite Squadron in Myrtle Beach, taught the cadets about some of the pre-flight procedures a pilot follows. Cadets learned about checking the fuel, examining the tires of the aircraft, and more.
All Civil Air Patrol cadets who join the organization between 12-17 years of age qualify to receive five free orientation flights in a powered aircraft and five free flights in a non-powered glider. Currently the ACE Basin Composite Squadron has both types of aircraft — and is actively working to schedule more powered orientation flights for its cadets.
The Ace Basin Composite Squadron meets on Tuesday nights 6-8 p.m. at the Lowcountry Aviation Hangar (637 Aviation Way) on the campus of the Lowcountry Regional Airport. Prospective cadets must attend three meetings and are eligible to complete their membership paperwork on the third visit. Senior members, who are adults 18+, are eligible for membership upon completing the required paperwork and background checks. Senior members need not have pilot experience nor military experience.
For more information about the ACE Basin Composite Squadron, contact Maj Tina Peterson, CAP, at (843)460-7445 or tina.peterson@scwgcap.org
