Select cadets have the opportunity to fly with local Alabama Civil Air Patrol (CAP) units as members of Homewood High School's AFJROTC program.
In accordance with Headquarters AFJROTC guidance, as relayed from Maxwell Air Force Base, cadets can actually fly the aircraft in-flight but are limited to hands-on control manipulation above 1000' above ground level. This unique flying experience complements the JROTC Aerospace Science curriculum and provides cadets an incentive if they are considering a career as an aviator--be it as a military member or as a civilian pilot.
The pictures you see were taken on May 23, 2015 when Cadet Michael Barber flew with our local Shelby County CAP unit. Mike participated in pre-flight, flight and post-flight duties, aided by his CAP Instructor Lt Col (Retired) Austin Landry. In the end, he learned a great deal about what it takes to be a pilot in today's society. The flight was approximately 1 hour in length, where he performed slow-flight maneuvers, flew over downtown Birmingham and was able to participate in touch-and-go landings.
The Cadet Orientation Flight Program’s primary goal is to introduce youth to general aviation through hands-on orientation flights in single engine aircraft and gliders. Colonel Paul, Homewood's AFJROTC Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, anticipates that there will be more opportunities to fly with Civil Air Patrol next academic year, starting in Fall 2015 and into Spring 2016.
