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Continuing the Photo Tour of my Life in
Flight.
 | One of my community service activities is the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Arizona Wing,
where I serve as the Flight Operations Officer, as a glider check pilot, instructor and
orientation pilot, and tow pilot for Glider Flight 400. We provide orientation and
instructional flights for CAP cadets from throughout Arizona, and for CAP cadets from
throughout the U.S. at national glider encampments.
Visit the CAP and learn about it and units in your area, and visit our Arizona Wing.
Our SGS1-26 was once flown by Neil Armstrong a few years before his walk on the
moon. Most of our aircraft are based at Pleasant Valley Airport, AZ, home of the
Turf Soaring School which provides our tows.
This SGU2-22 is based at Buckeye airport where most of our major maintenance is
done, and mainly uses winch tows. All of our gliders are both CG and Aero Tow
capable.
Our newest glider, this SGS2-33 is a favorite of both cadets and senior members.
Many hours are also logged on the Blanic L-13 with its retractable gear and flaps.
 
Some of our CAP glider pilots, and some senior members with cadets on the line.
 
Above I towed the L-13 into Buckeye airport for it's annual maintenance check with
Turf Soaring's Citabria, and towed the SGS1-26 back to Pleasant Valley airport. I
then took a flight in the SGS1-26 which is on tow behind the Citabria shown turning toward
Lake Pleasant.
This CAP C-182, one of many in the Valley of the Sun, belongs to the Goodyear
Squadron 313. It is outfited with all sorts of electronics and I have flown it on
Search and Rescue (SAR) exercises. It has also been modified to be used as a tow
plane, and I towed the L-13 to Luke AFB for display of both at the Civilian Fly-In.
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| A CAP National Glider Encampment sponsored by the Southwest Region (AZ, NM, TX, OK, AR,
LA) was held at Hobbs, NM, and provided training to CAP cadets from around the U.S. during
a two week period. Aircraft were provided from the Southwest Region and from
Colorado, and volunteer senior members and pilots came from as far away as New Jersey.
I instructed in gliders and flew tow, changing between the two as needed.
I flew the second of the first two aircraft pictured (both from the Arizona Wing)
which belonged to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Squadron 301. All of these CAP planes are
equipped for SAR and were used for towing at the encampment.
CAP gliders were brought in from around the Southwest Region including our 2-33.
I also gave cadet orientation flights in this brand new CAP Blanic L-23 provided by
CAP National Headquarters fresh from the factory. Our Arizona Glider Flight will be
getting a new L-23 fall of 1999.
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| On July 3, 1999, I was priveleged to receive the CAP, Arizona Wing, PILOT OF THE YEAR
for 1998 award at the Arizona Wing Annual Conference and Banquet.
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| Recently we have been looking into aquiring some Hot Air Balloons to use in our
continuing cadet Aerospace Education which will allow them to learn and
practice SAR missions and Communications and experience another form of flight. (2000)
In 2003 a Balloon Flight was started at the Deer Valley Squadron which will
use the Illinois CAP balloon during the winter months, and it will be
returned to them for the summer
months.
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During the period 2000 to 2004, other gliders were
obtained, and recently a CAP glider site was established at Pleasant Valley
Airport (P48) with a mobile home office trailer for briefings and
instruction, tie-downs for glider trailers, and cable tie-downs for the
gliders.
New CAP Glider Flight 400 "Home" site at Pleasant Valley Airport
More changes and additions are planned and expected for the future.
Until then, this site will remain
Under Construction
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| From one form of engineless free flight we proceed to another form of free flight with a
different type of "engine".
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Follow the Thread
Balloon Flying
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