The CAP portion of this post relates to my first formal lesson in front of our small group of cadets. I am on what is called the "Aerospace Education Professional Development (PD) Track". This is the route by which I will eventually receive promotions and all the glory that goes along with being a CAP senior officer...
In the near future, I will need to develop some formal learning materials to teach cadets about aviation history, space flight, and general aviation principles. Some of the material I will need to learn myself for the first time. For now, though, I get to teach them what I already know pretty well: aircraft systems, airports, and navigation. While my previous interactions were somewhat ad-hoc, this week's meeting included a formal lesson complete with visual aids.
The details are pretty boring, but let me set the stage for you: This is a small group of 12 to 18 year olds who - for whatever reason - are attracted to the idea of aviation and probably future military service. One cadet is in fact already signed up for the navy and will be shipping out for training this summer.
Silly me, I would have assumed that they had some connection to aviation to begin with. A relative with a plane or who was a pilot...something. Apparently not. Surprisingly (but encouragingly) they simply are attracted to the concept without having much experience at all. Although CAP offers "orientation flights", most have not yet had the chance to go up.
Even so, I can take it down a notch and assume that they at least have some interest in science (which they do). Nonetheless, we got around to talking about the instruments in the airplane and the concept of the gyroscope. I opened the book to show a diagram of one of the mechanisms, and casually said something like, "But you've probably all played with a gyroscope before." Crickets...
Nothing. Blank stares. Really? NONE of you ever had a gyroscope?
Now, I'm not that old. I identify more with the young cadets (half my age) that I do the senior members (almost twice my age). I still consider myself a student but I definitely have a greater comfort level with technology than some of the old guys. But really - no gyroscopes?
So, I was on a new mission. I planned to go run to the toy store (a national chain that shall not be named) to pick up a few for my kids and "borrow" them for a meeting to demonstrate the principles involved. Well....
Turns out that the gyroscope anemia extends to the toy store personnel as well. I am quoting when I say that the first person I asked about gyroscopes said, "A wha-ha-ha??" "A gyroscope...a little spinning top...," I responded. After a consultation on the store radio, we were directed (led, actually) to the yo-yo "department", a small shelf near the front of the store. Guess what? No gyroscopes. Lots of yo-yo's, nothing else. Blank stares all around again.
So I wandered the store on my own, thinking there must be a "science" section. Which there was...microscopes, telescopes, and mini-science projects. But no gyros here either.
I left wondering where our country has gone wrong. There is something fundamental missing when we wonder why we can't interest more kids in science and math but can't seem to find a way to get a gyroscope or other similar simple toy into their hands to fiddle with. Perhaps we shouldn't be so worried about national health care. Maybe we need a national gyroscope fund to put one or two of these in every kid's hands and just let 'em go. Something to consider for the new year...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Flying - Passenger Style
Although I got to fly today, I was only a "passenger" in one of the Civil Air Patrol's Cessna 182's. One of the things about CAP: be ready to fly on a moment's notice.
Here it is, the day after Christmas. It may as well be its own holiday, as no one is really out and about except for the shoppers who dare to brave the cold. Today's high was a balmy 21 degrees, but little wind and a crystal clear sky made it quite nice for flying.
I got a call in the afternoon from one of the pilots who was planning on going out for some touch-and-go's. He was up at the field, and had just preflighted the plane, so I rushed to get my CAP uniform on and gathered up my flight bag and headset. In short order, he showed me some of the special checklist items for this model aircraft, and we were set to fly.
In a standard CAP aircraft, they fly missions with two or three crewmembers. There is the pilot, the "observer" in the right front seat, and the "scanner" in the left rear. The observer's and scanner's jobs are to look out the window to find the objective, which might be a lost hiker, a downed aircraft, or other search-and-rescue related item. In addition, the observer (though not necessarily a licensed pilot) acts as a co-pilot to work radios, assist with navigation, and perform other duties as directed by the pilot.
Today's flight wasn't intended to do anything for me except familiarize myself with the plane and see it in action. I was content to simply be a passenger, but took the controls during climbout and the short "cruise" out to the local practice area. Not only was it odd to fly from the right seat, but there are extra controls for the constant-speed prop and the plane generally feels heavier to fly. I think I had some extra aileron pressure just because of the odd sight picture from the "wrong" side of the plane.
Overall, the CAP experience is interesting to say the least. Another senior member who joined just after me has taken a special interest in making sure I stay involved with the group. An ex-Marine with hundreds of hours and a long-expired CFI certificate, he fits right in but knows how challenging it can be to keep young pilots engaged in the organization.
My new duties involve teaching aerospace concepts to the cadets, which I think I will enjoy doing. I also have started looking into the idea of taking the tests to be a certified FAA ground instructor. Then, I can sign off pilot logbooks for classroom instruction.
Hopefully, the coming year will include some improved finances and allow some additional flying time. If not, I may have to settle for tagging along whenever I can.
Here it is, the day after Christmas. It may as well be its own holiday, as no one is really out and about except for the shoppers who dare to brave the cold. Today's high was a balmy 21 degrees, but little wind and a crystal clear sky made it quite nice for flying.
I got a call in the afternoon from one of the pilots who was planning on going out for some touch-and-go's. He was up at the field, and had just preflighted the plane, so I rushed to get my CAP uniform on and gathered up my flight bag and headset. In short order, he showed me some of the special checklist items for this model aircraft, and we were set to fly.
In a standard CAP aircraft, they fly missions with two or three crewmembers. There is the pilot, the "observer" in the right front seat, and the "scanner" in the left rear. The observer's and scanner's jobs are to look out the window to find the objective, which might be a lost hiker, a downed aircraft, or other search-and-rescue related item. In addition, the observer (though not necessarily a licensed pilot) acts as a co-pilot to work radios, assist with navigation, and perform other duties as directed by the pilot.
Today's flight wasn't intended to do anything for me except familiarize myself with the plane and see it in action. I was content to simply be a passenger, but took the controls during climbout and the short "cruise" out to the local practice area. Not only was it odd to fly from the right seat, but there are extra controls for the constant-speed prop and the plane generally feels heavier to fly. I think I had some extra aileron pressure just because of the odd sight picture from the "wrong" side of the plane.
Overall, the CAP experience is interesting to say the least. Another senior member who joined just after me has taken a special interest in making sure I stay involved with the group. An ex-Marine with hundreds of hours and a long-expired CFI certificate, he fits right in but knows how challenging it can be to keep young pilots engaged in the organization.
My new duties involve teaching aerospace concepts to the cadets, which I think I will enjoy doing. I also have started looking into the idea of taking the tests to be a certified FAA ground instructor. Then, I can sign off pilot logbooks for classroom instruction.
Hopefully, the coming year will include some improved finances and allow some additional flying time. If not, I may have to settle for tagging along whenever I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
