REGINA — Fourteen air cadets were formally presented with wing badges at the Regina Flying Club on Friday.
The wing badges are bestowed upon cadets who have completed a seven-week course and met all requirements to obtain their Transport Canada Power Pilot Licence.
Major Blaine R. Beaven, power pilot training course co-ordinator, called the course a challenging process where cadets have to meet several requirements.
“During their training, they're flying part of the day, they're doing ground school or book training the other half of the day, they're studying pretty much full time for an exam. It’s a lot of work.”
To complete the course, cadets take a final test with an instructor to ensure they have all the required skills.
Each cadet who completed the course is between the ages of 17 and 19, from various provinces, including 17-year-old Amelia Wood.
“It is definitely very surreal,” said Wood. “I don't have my full driver's license yet, but I have my full pilot's license at this age.”
Wood first joined the cadets for her love of aviation.
“When you're up alone in the sky and you know you are the one controlling it, it's pretty sweet.”
Wood and her fellow cadets trained in Cessna 172 planes. With their Transport Canada Power Pilot Licence, they can now fly general single-engine aircraft.
She is unsure where she wants to go next with aviation but is considering getting her licence to fly commercial jets.
Beaven said the program is important to meet the growing need for pilots while giving participants a unique life experience.
“I did the same course and got my pilot's license the same way. And I can tell you I came out of it a very different person.”
