Putnam County Civil Air Patrol Cadets Pilot Model Aircraft

Civil Air Patrol Cadets from New York and Connecticut met members of the Fly RC (radio controlled) model airplane club at Mitchell’s Farm in Southbury, Connecticut on October 28, 2017 for an introduction to radio controlled model aircraft.

Fly RC member Mike Herrick presented Putnam County Composite Squadron (NY033) and 399th Composite Squadron (CT042) cadets with a build demonstration of a model aircraft, accompanied by aerodynamics and flight theory reviews from Aerospace Education Officer, First Lieutenant Mike Nolan (CT042).

Cadets were eager to get aircraft airborne as wind speeds picked up. Fly RC members provided a flight demonstration with a variety of model aircraft, including the top performing, gas powered Aeroworks Edge 540, the highly maneuverable electric powered Crack Yak 55 and the hand launched Parkzone Radian with glider like wings. Aerospace Education Officer and event organizer, Major Ralph Langham (NY033), noted how pilots conduct pre-flight inspections of flight control surfaces on the model aircraft, just as pilots do on standard airplanes.

The highlight of the day for cadets began as they stepped up to the flight area where Fly RC members Deepak Elias and Ron Faanes accelerated the aircraft down the grass runway, propelling them into the air. Once the model aircraft were airborne and in stable flight, cadets were given control with a “buddy box,” a device that can be overridden by the instructor’s controls.

Cadets flew an oblong pattern in the flight area, at times fighting strong headwinds, but maintaining the correct altitude and headings. Fly RC members worked with cadets to ensure a smooth flight, but easily regained control of the aircraft when necessary and also managed the landings. Herrick commented, “It’s great to see the cadets here eager to learn and applying themselves to learning about flight. There are good job opportunities for them if they stick with it.”

By day's end cadets were in agreement that flying radio controlled model aircraft required their full concentration, but was also very fun! “This was a fantastic day for the Putnam County Composite Squadron from Carmel, New York and the 399th Composite Squadron from Danbury, Connecticut who came together with members of the flying club to watch and learn how to fly remote controlled aircraft. This is one more example of how Civil Air Patrol enhances the experiences of their cadets through the aerospace education program,” said Langham.

Members of the Putnam County Composite Squadron meet on Friday’s from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Paladin Center, located at 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel, NY.

For additional information contact Captain Elena MacDermant, Civil Air Patrol, Putnam County Composite Squadron Commander at (845) 216-5433, email elenamac@aol.com or visit www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyCompositeSquadron.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. CAP’s 57,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. CAP also plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to 24,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com for more information.