West Virginia Wing News

Wing Commander Col Rodney A. Moore and Clarksburg Composite Squadron member Captain Dennis Moore recently completed the FITS (FAA Industry Training Standards) program at the Cessna Pilot Center at the Cessna's factory located in Independence, Kansas. The training was very intensive and occurred over a six-day period. After the training, the two pilots returned home with the Wing's first glass cockpit C182T aircraft.

The aircraft instrumentation, a GARMAN G-1000, consists of two 10-inch computer screens that supply all communications, navigation, and engine instrumentation functions. The aircraft has a built in storm scope. Nexrad radar and current aviation weather are available through Satellite XM Radio data link. A satellite phone is installed, along with the hardware for the SDIS system.

"It's a very cabable aircraft," said Col Moore. "We can fly now sometimes when we could have not flown previously." Capt Moore said he was amazed with the aircraft's technology. Moore said it was like watching the Weather Channel as you were flying along. "Your aircraft is superimposed on those screens, it shows where you are at, where the weather is, and how to avoid it. It is truly amazing, I'm proud as can be of it."

In the near future, the Wing will be scheduling ground school for use of the system. Any WV pilot, observer, or scanner fully qualified or trainee will be welcome to attend this training. National Headquarters is providing funding to complete flight training for 10 mission pilots. The Wing will be selecting these pilots in the near future.

The West Virginia Wing has seven aircraft and 12 units based throughout the state. Units consists of Beckley, Boone, Charleston Cadet, Clarksburg, Greenbrier, Martinsburg, Mercer, Mid Valley, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Pt. Pleasant, and Wheeling.

Cadets from the West Virginia Wing successfully recently completed another Cadet Leadership Training Course at the U.S. Mine Academy in Beckley, WV. A total of 20 cadet airman and NCO's received very intense leadership training, while another five cadet officers received extensive experience in teaching leadership classes and planning for future leadership courses.

Some of the classes conducted for the cadets were leadership traits and characteristics, drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies, proper wearing of uniforms, inspections, CAP core values, team work, cadet programs, the cadet physical fitness program, cadet competition, cadet special activities, cadet advisory council and volleyball.

Cadets attending the leadership course represented the Morgantown, Charleston, Parkersburg, Martinsburg, Boone, Clarksburg, Greenbrier, Beckley, and Mid Valley Squadrons. The next cadet leadership course will be held May 12-14 at the Mine Academy. There will be also be a cadets leaders training course conducted that same weekend.