Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets
 Enjoy RC Flying
 

A group of students watches while a fellow Cadet flies the buddy-box
system with his Intro Pilot.

    December 8, 2007, the Bay City Flyers, Inc., located in Land-O-Lakes, Florida, sponsored an RC training day for 17 Cadets from the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFJROTC) program at Ocoee High School, Ocoee, Florida.

     The idea for this project began during a presentation at a club meeting by retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Sweetwine, who is Ocoee High School's JROTC instructor and a Bay City Flyers member. The club's membership unanimously approved this project and provided several trainer aircraft and buddy boxes. In addition, a trainer, buddy box, and helicopter were given to the students as a gift.

     The Cadets formed an RC club and began making plans for the December 8 field trip. Several meetings were held, at which the students learned the basics of RC flying and spent numerous sessions on a flight simulator that made flying much easier.

     The Cadets arrived at the flying field at 9:30 a.m. on the 8th. They were treated to a continental breakfast and then Charlie Poulton, the Bay City Flyers' president, gave a general safety briefing, which included an explanation of the purpose of the impound board.

     The students were divided into four groups and assigned to an AMA Introductory Pilot. Each group began the session with a briefing of pit area, pilot stations, and taxiway and runway safety. That was followed by a lesson covering the trainer, transmitter, and buddy box. The Cadets took to the air for some stick time when instruction was completed.

     The students and Introductory Pilots had lunch at 11:30 a.m., after which flying resumed. The Cadets enjoyed flying, and the club membership enjoyed the students. The day concluded at 3:30 p.m.

     All flying clubs should consider this type of program to ensure our sport's continuation in years to come.  MA

The AFJROTC Cadets who participated in the flight training with the
Bay City Flyers.

—Mike Diesu (Bay City Flyers Secretary)
District V

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