Taking to the sky
Local educators take Civil Air Patrol flight
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K.I. SAWYER -- It's not every day that an educator takes a ride in a Cessna 182T plane to pass on newfound knowledge.
On Saturday, several home educators gathered real flying experience from the Civil Air Patrol by riding in a CAP airplane out of Boreal Aviation Inc., based at Sawyer International Airport. The purpose of the orientation flights was to give them a better idea on being Aerospace Education Members -- a CAP program -- and show how teachers can become an AEM.
Greg Durand, chief master sergeant with the local CAP squadron, said the rides also involve promoting flying to youngsters, who can learn there's not such a "big barrier" from where they are now to the world of aviation.
"For youth to get involved today, they have a phenomenal career ahead of them because of the shortage of pilots, because of COVID and everything else, and the airlines," Durand said. "Pilot salaries have pretty much doubled this year."
In fact, he noted pilot salaries are predicted to grow to $750,000 a year.
"It's a very, very lucrative business if you were to work hard and go in that direction, and enjoy that kind of work," Durand said. "Every year, there's more and more airplanes flying, and we need some more pilots, more charter flights as well with the smaller jets coming out."
Rebecca Duke, a home educator and AEM, was one of the teachers who went on a Saturday ride. CAP, Durand said, has a pilot, but it also may have a civilian. On her ride, Duke was to sit in the back of the plane and act as a scanner, since she's been trained in those techniques.
"She'll be the one looking out the window at the areas, trying to do the spotting," Durand said.
Duke called the aerospace program an "amazing experience."
CAP has a variety of education products available for teachers, with online lessons, videos, resources and programs found at www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com/ae. The products fit in with teaching lessons of STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
CAP is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. According to CAP's website, AE's interdisciplinary products and programs engage youths in an applicable, inquiry-based learning framework that supplements core subjects and enhances traditional learning. These academic standards-based products and programs are provided to educators at no cost.
"CAP's unpaid professionals, both in community CAP squadrons and in classrooms, youth organizations and aviation museums, are trained in technology and educational programs that continue to sustain CAP's reputation as a national resource of choice," the website reads.
CAP adult and cadet members conduct high-level technology usage, such as Forward Looking Infrared Radar thermal imaging sensors for search and rescue missions, and unmanned aerial vehicle training capabilities. Using CAP subject matter experts as mentors to youth, new CAP educational products pertaining to robotics, flight simulation, remotely piloted aircraft, cybersecurity and satellite tracking and imagery will help inspire youth toward aerospace careers to maintain national security for the future, CAP said.
Duke is involved with the Educational Christian Homeschooling Organization, which is affiliated with Bethel Baptist Church in Marquette. There she passes on her AEM skills, with materials relating to flight simulators and rockets used.
It's basically a first-hand experience to get teachers excited about flying, Duke said of what's officially known as a Teacher Orientation Program flight.
"The primary purpose of that is for the AEM members to have personal experience, and to get excited and bring that excitement back into the classroom," Duke said.
Sarah Holsinger, director of the ECHO program, also took a Saturday plane ride, learning how to handle preflight duties and even taking over the controls to fly for a bit.
Now she will have a better understanding of teaching kids the mechanics of flying.
Of course, the trip was enjoyable for her.
"It was a blast," Holsinger said -- figuratively, of course.
More information about CAP's aerospace education program is available at gocivilairpatrol.com.
Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.