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Camp gives local cadet a flavour of aviation industry




By Brock Weir

Many people have romantic views of getting behind the controls of a plane and heading off into the wild, blue yonder, but how many people know first-hand the hard work it takes to get aircraft off the ground?
Over 700 air cadets this year applied to learn just that through a six week course at Canadore Cadet Training Centre in North Bay. Only 120, however, made the cut – including Warrant Officer (Second Class) Christopher Hayashi of the 140 Aurora Squadron.
Hayashi, the only member of the Squadron to be selected for the elite program, headed off to North Bay on July 9 for the course, which wraps up next Friday, August 18, to learn the ins and outs of airport operations.
The program is designed to introduce cadets to various components of operating an airport from airside operations, to meteorology, to navigation, air traffic services, ground services and safety.
They are also getting a chance to learn more about Canadian advancements in the aviation industry and how to pursue career opportunities within the field.
“I am pretty interested in aviation and coming to this camp allows me to explore different careers in the aviation industry I might want to pursue after high school,” says Christopher.
But the experience of being exposed to a wide array of options within the industry has made him have second thoughts on his initial dream.
“I was really looking at becoming a pilot, but after coming to this camp, I have reconsidered and am now looking into other things like airport management and planning,” he explains. “I really didn't know how many other things were in the aviation industry.”
Hayashi has been interested in taking to the air from a very young age. Always interested in flying, he was encouraged by his father to think about joining the Air Cadets. Intrigued by their multifaceted program, which includes survival training, he decided to give it a go and joined the squadron.
“It was pretty cool,” he says of the squadron he joined six years ago, continuing to move up the ranks. “You keep progressing through the ranks and there is always something new to learn. Even now as I am reaching the end of my cadet career, I get to teach the younger cadets the stuff I learned and it is really just something new every time.”
The most valuable thing he has learned over his time with the Aurora Squadron is leadership skills. The lessons in this area have served him well, far outside the confines of the Aurora Squadron, which currently meets at the old home of the Aurora Public Library on Victoria Street.
“I don't know where I would be today without all the different leadership skills I have taken away that I can apply in my every day life and in school,” he says. “I also play hockey and the leadership skills I have taken away from Air Cadets has really helped me in my hockey career and different aspects with my team.”
They will continue to help him in whichever career path he opts to pursue in the aviation industry.
The Canadore Cadet Training Centre is located in North Bay, offering two courses within the Advanced Aviation Technology fields including the previously mentioned airport operations, as well as aircraft maintenance.
Open to all cadets between the ages of 12 and 18, the program focuses on leadership, citizenship and healthy living.
In order to secure a place in the program, Hayashi had to submit a short essay on why he wanted to take the program. Evidently his words did the trick and he made the final cut.
“The mandate is to essentially inspire them to follow a career in the aviation industry, whether that be civilian aviation or in the military,” says Second Lieutenant Darius Soo Lum. “I was a cadet myself and I have taken away a lot from the program and it continues to help me every day. [Next year, don't] hesitate to apply if you're on the fence, interested, or at the age, there is never a dull moment here!”
Excerpt: Many people have romantic views of getting behind the controls of a plane and heading off into the wild, blue yonder, but how many people know first-hand the hard work it takes to get aircraft off the ground?
Post date: 2017-08-09 17:35:19
Post date GMT: 2017-08-09 21:35:19
Post modified date: 2017-08-09 17:35:19
Post modified date GMT: 2017-08-09 21:35:19
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