Local Youth Take to the Skies with Civil Air Patrol

Two teens from the Washington County Composite Squadron 601 took to the skies and experienced the thrill of aviation, through orientation flights with the Civil Air Patrol at Washington County Airport yesterday. Under the guidance of CAP pilot Lt. Col. Kevin Berry, Cadet William Beveridge of Charleroi experienced his first flight as the newest member of Squadron 601 while C/SSgt Elizabeth Silassy of Canonsburg enjoyed her fourth flight.
Beveridge, when asked about his first flight experience remarked, “It was a very enlightening experience. My favorite part was when I was a co-pilot and able to learn how to fly. Also, it was pretty cool to see my school from the air!”
Each hour long flight in CAP’s single-engine Cessna aircraft introduced the cadets to the science that makes flight possible. They learned about navigation, weather, aircraft instruments, flight maneuvers, and more. The cadets’ day began by helping pre-flight their aircraft. Working with their pilot, they taxied their aircraft to Washington County Airport’s runway, gave it full throttle and took off, climbing to 3,100 feet. While aloft, it was the cadets who were handling the controls, during the non-critical stages of the flight. “It was really cool,” stated Silassy. “We were able to fly over a blanket of fog and the skies were so clear you could see for miles! Definitely the best flight I have had so far.”
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is open to youth aged 12 through 18. Additionally, there are volunteer opportunities for adults, pilots and non-pilots alike. For more information, contact Captain Nancy Parker at nanran89@gmail.com or visit www.pasquadron601.org.


Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 70 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 58,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Civil Air Patrol received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. Congressionally chartered 74 years ago, the nonprofit organization also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capmembers.com for more information.

Photo Credits C/SSgt Elizabeth Silassy