The Peru Gazette

Cadet Caleb Monnette in the CAP Cessna 182

By John T. Ryan

Last Saturday several teens had an experience they will remember for a lifetime.  They took control of a Cessna 182 as it flew over the Plattsburgh area. Civil Air Patrol Group (CAP) Commander Colonel Sean Neal was the pilot.  He watched over the safety of the aircraft and gave the young people the opportunity to look for prominent landmarks and offered to fly over their homes. The young people were undergoing their cadet orientation training flights as members of the James P. O’Connor Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron headquartered at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

Colonel Neal, the CAP Group Commander, flew the Cessna to Plattsburgh from Schenectady Saturday morning. Neal works fulltime as an American Airlines pilot, but he got his start in aviation as a CAP cadet. He said, “I’ve been interested in aviation all my life. I began working at an airport when I was fourteen.” Colonel Neal’s CAP experience helped him gain admission into Embry-Riddell Aeronautical University in Florida where he perfected knowledge of the aviation industry and piloting skills.

Soon after arriving in Plattsburgh Colonel Neal briefed the cadets on safety procedures and what to expect when they were aloft including how to avoid airsickness. At some point during each cadet’s flight he or she was allowed to take over control of the place under Colonal Neal’s supervision, while two other cadets sat in the rear seats surveying the local area and awaiting their turn in the front seat.

The Plattsburgh CAP Squadron has 18 cadets. Boys and girls at least 12 years old and not yet 19 can become cadets. Older men and women join as senior members. Many of the Plattsburgh squadron’s 19 senior members are retired military officers and enlisted personnel. They have the experience and enthusiasm necessary to guide the cadets in the three primary CAP missions: leadership training, aerospace education and search and rescue. Physical fitness is also an increasing CAP focus. While older cadets are not required to join the military, many do. CAP honors and awards can also lead to higher beginning military ranks. About 10% of all Air Force Academy Cadets got their start in the CAP.

Cadets participating in Saturday’s orientation flights attend the Peru, Saranac, Plattsburgh and Chazy schools. Dakota Gowett, a Stafford Middle School student, said he joined the CAP to meet new people and to do activities with others. Caleb Monette, a 7^th grader at Peru Central, said his grandfather had been a cadet in Pennsylvania. Cameron Lee, who attends Chazy Rural School, said he wants to be a pilot while Austin Plummer, a Plattsburgh High School student, believes that his CAP experience will help him get into college.

CAP activities include weekly meetings, weekend bivouacs, camping and special weekend exercises. The CAP Color Guard is invited to many local ceremonial functions.  For more information contact Captain Robert St. Yves at 518-647-5318 or email styvesra@gmail.com. Update of May 28, 2012 – CAP Honor Guard at the Peru VFW Post 309 Memorial Day ceremonies. 

L-R Cadets Booth Trudo, Caleb Monnette, Evan Palmer, Cameron Lee, Austin Plummer and Dakota Gowett

Lt. Col. Sean Neal briefs the cadets prior to take-off

L-R Cadets Cameron Lee and Dakota Gowett

Cessna taxis in front of the airport control tower