Public Affairs Officer, Prescott Composite Squadron 206
Prescott, AZ – The largest Arizona Wing Cadet event of 2010 gathered over two days in Prescott, AZ, when Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University hosted 112 Civil Air Patrol cadets and senior members from 17 Arizona squadrons.Arizona cadet squadrons converged on Prescott from Deer Valley, Prescott, Show Low, Cochise, Paradise Valley, Neotoma, Casa Grande, Sky Harbor, Glendale, Frank Luke, Falcon, Cottonwood, Dan Kenney, Doolen, London Bridge, Verde Valley and Tucson.
The Aerospace Education event was the inspiration of Major Phil Hubacek, deputy director of Aerospace Education for Arizona Wing and Group II Aerospace Education Officer. Through the cooperation of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the two day event was designed to open the minds of Arizona Civil Air Patrol cadets to the educational and career opportunities available in aerospace and aviation.
Cadets arrived at the Embry-Riddle campus around noon Wednesday, July 21, 2010, stowed gear, ate lunch, and gathered on the soccer field for Pledge of Allegiance, Greeting and Safety Briefing. Burt Mullins, Angela Woo and Matt Turner welcomed the cadets on behalf of Embry-Riddle.
Cadets were divided into two groups. One group was transported to the Embry-Riddle Flight Line operations at the Prescott Airport and the other group began the campus tour.
The campus tour group visited the University’s Aerospace Experimentation and Fabrication Building focused around aerospace engineering fabrication and experimental projects. The cadets explored the Fabrication Suite, Materials Science Lab, Materials Testing Lab, Structures Lab, Structural Dynamics Lab, Space Systems Lab, Composites Lab and Rapid Prototyping Lab with 3D printers for creating solid parts from engineered drawings.
One project the cadets saw was the ERAU sponsored jet dragster. The jet dragster, designed and built in 2004 with the help of Embry-Riddle aerospace engineering and aviation maintenance students, is a feature attraction at air shows and drag racing events around the country during the year. The rocket car, which accelerates from zero to 60 mph in less than a second, reaches a top speed of 270 mph
Cadets on the campus tour visited the Global Security and Intelligence Studies (GSIS) Operations Center and Army Situation Room - two areas used for hands-on situational training exercises, planning and study for ROTC students.
The campus tour also visited the Air Traffic Control Lab where cadets sat in the controller’s chair and directed simulated air traffic – some cadets had more success than others.
Finally, the campus tour took all to the wind tunnel lab where engineering students study the wind effects on aircraft and space craft designs. The cadets saw 4 wind tunnels, 3 subsonic and one supersonic shock tube.
The group visiting the Embry-Riddle Flight Line at the Prescott Airport got the opportunity to fly level 6 FAA simulators. These simulators have 180° field of view of animated images of flight around the Prescott airport. The image realistically responded to the simulators flight controls. The simulators were Cessna 172 aircraft with advanced all-glass cockpits. Cadets could actually log their flight time in these simulators for FAA credit! Everyone flew.
They saw other advanced simulators including the crosswind simulator.
Cadets toured the ERAU ramp and experienced the actual Cessna 172 training aircraft used at the university and then toured the Universal Helicopter ramp next door and got a brief education how helicopters operate. They all had a chance to sit in the helicopter and get the feel of it.
One of highlights of the Flightline Tour was a visit to the ERAU Crash Lab. Here, actual aircraft crashes are restaged for student forensic study. Cadets were shown how the position of debris and shape of key parts lead investigators to conclude the chain of events in the last few minute of the crash. 8 1/2 acres hold what's left of more than a half-dozen downed aircraft.
One of the most anticipated events was Wednesday evening’s Great AZ Wing Glider Championship on the soccer field. Six squadrons competed for 1st Place, 2nd Place, Most Innovative Design. And a special award was given, although not competed for: The Golden Turkey Award - for the, ahh, well you know what it was for.
The results of the 2010 Great AZ Wing Glider Championship are as follows:
1st Place: Tucson (Sqdn. 105)
2nd Place: Deer Valley (Sqdn. 302)
Most Innovative Design: Paradise Valley (Sqdn. 310)
Golden Turkey Award: Paradise Valley (Sqdn. 310)
Most of the squadrons choose to camp near the soccer field locker rooms and pitched tents. A ‘snake walk’ was conducted to clear the area of unfriendlies. No snakes were encountered. Others chose to sleep inside on the floor of the nearby gym.
One the second day, the groups changed tours and locations but not before Prescott Sqdn 206 was up doing PT at 0530. The rest rolled out of bed around 0600, then broke camp, stowed gear and then off to breakfast.
A pizza lunch was hosted by Embry-Riddle and the cadets got to see a presentation about the Army and Air Force ROTC programs and ask questions about careers and college scholarships.
The Medical Officer for the event, Lt. Col. Charles Bendixen reported no injuries or emergencies; the Safety Officer, 2Lt Jim Heintzman took full credit for this. Special attention and thanks go out to Lt. Col. David Cartier, 1Lt Priscilla Cartier, Maj. Bill Lynam, Lt. Col. Bob Anderson, Lt. Col. Pete Feltz and Lt. Col. Fred Seifritz for making this a great two day event.
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