Md. Wing prepares for 2009 Glider Operations

1st Lt. Stacey Bowen, CAP

Public Affairs Officer,

Mt. Airy Composite Squadron

03/16/2009 – Frederick, MD – On Saturday, March 14^th, an eager team of 9 cadets and 13 officers arrived at the Frederick Flight Center, ready to assist with the post-inspection assembly and cleaning of Maryland Wing's (MDWG) Blanik L23 Super, in preparation for what is expected to be a busy soaring season.  Capt. Tim Bowen, MDWG glider coordinator, organized the event.  

The glider went in for its annual inspection on March 9th, and was given a clean bill of health.  Inspection does not require assembly, but because this was the first time the Blanik had been inspected at Frederick, the Air Frame and Power Plant (A & P) mechanic requested that the post-inspection assembly take place at the maintenance hanger. 

The team began by removing the fuselage from its trailer, and positioning it for wing attachment.  The left and right wings were attached, followed by the horizontal stabilizer.  The assembly was completed in less than two hours, and the logbooks were presented to Capt. Bowen by the A & P with all necessary signatures.  

Following the inspection, the Blanik was towed to the tie-down area at the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association’s facility, where it was given its spring cleaning.  After cadets assisted with washing and drying the aircraft, Capt. Kevin Martin, MDWG A3, glider orientation pilot and CFIG, inspected the glider.  He also conducted positive control checks on all the moveable surfaces and declared that MDWG is ready for glider operations. 

Weather permitting, Capt. Bowen expects tow pilot training to begin March 21^st, and cadet orientation flights (O-flights) to start in the month of April.  

Cadets and Officers interested in assisting with weekend flight line operations should contact Capt. Bowen at tbowen@alcatel-lucent.com for information.    

Officers in attendance were:  Tim Bowen, Bob Dickey, Kevin Greer, Ron Long, Alan Siegrist - Mt. Airy Composite Squadron; Adam Donaldson and Dan Golas - Montgomery Senior Squadron; Bob Ayres, Kevin Martin, Robert Terry - MD Wing; Joe Manning - Carroll Composite Squadron; James Holcomb - Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron; and Yudis Coreas - Frederick Composite Squadron.  Cadets in attendance were:  Sean Barker, Zach Bowen, Ryan Brown, Robert Greer, Ryan Jackson, Shiloh Lockard, Kevin Lohoefer, Jacob O’Connell, and Ashley Petersen - Mt. Airy Squadron.

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U. S. into World War II. CAP is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. The organization’s members perform 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and were credited by the AFRCC with saving 103 lives in fiscal year 2007. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP Cadet Program. CAP’s cadet programs provide young men and women with a safe and motivating environment in which to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. CAP has been performing mission for American for more than 63 years.

There are approximately 1,300 members of CAP in Maryland. Last fiscal year wing members flew 42 search and rescue missions and were credited with 31 finds. For more information, visit www.mdcap.org. 

The Mount Airy Composite Squadron meets at 7p.m. Thursdays at the Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy.  Prospective cadets, ages 12 to 18, and their parents are always welcome.  Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well.  For more information, e-mail contactus@mtairy-cap.org , call 301-829-9057, or visit www.mtairy-cap.org . 

Any comments and/or suggestions: webmaster@mtairy-cap.org.