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Civil Air Patrol cadets soar in orientation flights
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CAP cadet Jackson Butler takes over at the controls during an orientation flight. - photo by Photo provided

Six cadets with the Civil Air Patrol Effingham Cadet Squadron took to the air recently in their first flight in the CAP cadet program from Plantation Air Park near Sylvania. The cadets taking their first flight were Jackson Butler, Trevor Charles, Adam Daugherty, Evan Jenkins, James Jolin and Christopher Palmer.

CAP pilots Lt. Col. Bill North and 2nd Lt. Tom Ireland of the Savannah Composite Squadron provided the orientation flights (O-flights) for the cadets. The cadets were provided a pre-flight briefing and were led through a pre-flight inspection of the plane by the pilots.

After a brief delay because of cloud cover and gusting winds, the first pair of cadets took to the skies.

As part of the O-flight, cadets actually take control of the plane under the supervision of the CAP pilots. Each pair of cadets takes a turn in the front seat and the back seat of the CAP Cessna 172 assigned to the Savannah Composite Squadron.

In addition to those participating in O-flights, the cadets were joined by other cadets, Cadet 2nd Lt. Aaron Abbs, Cadet Airman First Class Michael Jimenez, Cadet Staff Sgt. Lukas Lariscy, and Cadet Airman Josh Shannon.

Cadets also received training in first aid and CPR from Capt. Mark Knight, group aerospace education officer and former safety officer for the Effingham Cadet Squadron.

Lt. Jeff Lariscy, squadron commander, also provided cadets with training on equipping a 24-hour pack and setting up shelter. These tasks are part of a comprehensive qualification program for cadet and senior members that helps prepare them for the emergency services mission of the CAP program.

Lt. Lisa Folmar and Maj Tom Folmar also helped facilitate the activities as well as Draper Palmer, a parent and prospective member of the squadron.

Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.