A total of 65 Air Cadets from across the nation participated in ground handling training of real aircraft as part of the Advanced Aviation Technology Course – Airport Operations at Canadore’s Aviation Campus on Tuesday.
For Cadet Joshua Fogg from Brantford, the training went well.
“I got to control the aircraft, and I felt the responsibility of ensuring safety on the flight line,” said Cadet Joshua Fogg, Airport Operations Course in a release.
“It was the most fun thing we’ve done so far on this course. I want to be a pilot, so knowing how to fly is good, but knowing how to be a ground-handler is equally important.”
It was a new experience for others.
“It was something that we would never have done if we weren’t in the Air Cadets,” stated Cadet Felipe Pantoja, Airport Operations Course, Montréal, Québec.
“I want to be a fighter pilot one day, and being able to learn about aviation is super important, and the best part is that it’s all free of charge for us to do it.”
The cadets, aged between 14-17 years, spent the last three weeks learning the theory of ground- based aviation, however, this day they were able to get hands-on learning with real aircraft. Under the guidance of Canadore’s faculty, the cadets safely positioned the aircraft, started the engine, and taxied the aircraft along a taxiway.
One of the aims of the course is to stimulate a love of aviation which many of these youth already possess. But with the exhilaration of practical training under their belts, many graduates of the course and the Cadet Program will go on to pursue aviation as a future career.
The Advanced Aviation Technology Course (AATC) Canadore exists as a partnership between Canadore College and the Department of National Defence (DND) to train and stimulate youth in advanced aviation topics.
The cadets will complete their course on August 17, 2018 at a graduation parade at Canadore’s Aviation Campus.