Cadets Take Flight Over Mackay Skies

Smiles and thumbs up after their Cadet Experience flight. Photo supplied

‍

‍

Cadets of No. 105 (City of Mackay) Squadron, Australian Air Force Cadets, participated in Cadet Air Experience (CAE) flights and PEX (Pilot Experience Flights) at Mackay Airport over the weekend.

‍

Members of the squadron in the Orientation and Initial stages of their cadet training had the opportunity to fly in a Cessna 172 aircraft with a qualified flying instructor (QFI), gaining an understanding of flight controls and the procedures involved in obtaining air traffic control clearance for take-off, flight and landing.

‍

Groups of three cadets at a time, many of whom had never flown in a light aircraft before, gained valuable experience through the CAE flights.

‍

PEX flights were also conducted for cadets in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior stages of training. These members flew one-on-one with a QFI, having previously participated in CAE flights. They were given control of the aircraft once airborne under the supervision and watchful eye of their instructor, providing hands-on experience in handling the aircraft controls.

All flights were conducted from Mackay Airport and were facilitated by Horizon Airways. Further CAE and PEX flights are scheduled for August for cadets who were unable to participate this time, giving them the opportunity to complete this phase of their training.

‍

Contributed by Geoff Strange

‍