Cadet Bickford's father, also a CAP member, came along for the ride. It was his first flight in a small airplane also. The CAP orientation flight program is designed to introduce cadets to general aviation flight operations, and to stimulate interest and knowledge of aerospace activities. Senior CAP members Captain Orville Jolly, and Captain Gunnar Seaburg served as volunteer pilots for the flights that day, originating from Houston s David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, and flying to College Station, Navasota, and Conroe, Texas. The flight orientation program introduces cadet members to general aviation flight operations.
Cadets participate in planning, ground operations, and actual flights.
On Saturday s flights, cadets Fraser, Molina, Smith, and Parker flew with Captain Jolly on introductory flights to Navasota, observing preflight operations, takeoff s and landings, and identifying landmarks along their route. Cadets Head and Allen assisted in flight planning and observed the use of flight instruments and navigation techniques during a flight to College Station, flown by Captain Seaburg. Cadets Hougan and Connor observed normal flight maneuvers and the effects of weather, flying to Conroe with Seaburg. The flights, which originated from the Delta Composite Squadron s headquarters on the south end of Hooks airport, were supervised by senior member CAP Major Jerry Burks, and coordinated by CAP First Lieutenant Bruce Guest. The flights were flown in a Cessna model 182Q aircraft which is owned by the Civil Air Patrol and operated by the squadron.