Air Cadets from 859 Crowsnest Squadron visited the Canadian Forces Snow Bird jet on display in Nanton on Saturday, May 11.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
The local Air Cadets from 859 Crowsnest Squadron have had a busy month. They proved a good deed went a long way when they took part in the Alberta Highway Cleanup on May 4th. The local Cadets picked up garbage along sections of Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, a stretch of highway that equates to around 35 km.
The following weekend, the cadets went north to Vulcan to experience flights in a glider on Saturday, May 11th.
Cadets learned first hand that the glider had no engine but stays aloft through lightweight construction and a large wingspan. They helped launch and recover the aircraft that was launched by using a winch and cable system, similar to a kite on a string. After launching the aircraft, cadets then were given the opportunity to watch the glider soar through the air, circling the town of Vulcan before landing.
On the return trip home, the cadets were able to visit the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station to enjoy the Star Trek memorabilia on display.
They were then given the opportunity to see the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, which happens to be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary “Dambusters” raid in May, 1943, allowing them the chance to learn more about the mission.
Wing commander Daniel Walker, originally from Coleman and the son of a coalminer, was navigator in the Dambusters' attack on the Mohne and Eder dams in the Ruhr valley. He died in London Ontario at the age of 83.
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a community- based national youth program for 12-18 year-olds and focuses on leadership, citizenship, fitness and aviation.
Weekly training is conducted on Mondays from 6:30- 9:15 p.m. at the Elks Hall in Blairmore. Cadets are not members of the military and have no obligation to join or serve with the Canadian Forces. There are no registration fees or dues to join the air cadets and uniforms and accoutrements are provided free of charge.
