Sugar Valley Airport ~ Serving the Community
Over twenty cadets and adult officers from Civil Air Patrol Squadrons in Winston-Salem, Statesville, Boone and South Charlotte camped out at Sugar Valley Airport Friday night, September 14th. The purpose of the visit was to explore one of the pillars of CAP work: aerospace education. As an auxiliary of the United States Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol is uniquely qualified to inspire our youth with aerospace education.
Classes were conducted regarding the building and preparation of rockets, as well as rocket history, and some of the math and science behind it all. The material covered the three stages of CAP’s rocketry program: Redstone, Titan and Saturn. Kit rockets were prepared and each cadet launched his/her rocket Saturday morning.
The rockets, piercing the sky over 1000 feet over the airport floated to the ground using parachutes that deployed once the rocket reached its zenith. In the afternoon, after launching their rockets in the morning, each cadet received a certificate of completion regarding this aspect of CAP work. The certificates were presented by Lt. Col. James Williams, the NC Wing (State) Aerospace Education Officer of Salisbury. Colonel Williams conducted most of the classes assisted by Lt. Col. Paul Twiddy from the South Charlotte Squadron.
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The event was planned and organized by the cadets themselves with Cadet Lt. Obediah Fire of Winston-Salem leading the effort.
Winston Salem Squadron Lt. Leslieann Gourley, a Winston Salem squadron officer, commented: “The picturesque location, clean facilities and friendly volunteers make Sugar Valley Airport the perfect location for CAP activities.” Over 20 cadets and adult members camped out on the grounds.
Previously, the Winston Salem Squadron had conducted search and rescue training activities at Sugar Valley. Lt. Col. Dan Wishnietsky also from the Winston-Salem Squadron stated: “This would not have been possible if it had not been for the great cooperation of the volunteers here at Sugar Valley. We hope to return for future activities.”
To find out more about how Sugar Valley Airport serves Davie County and communities across North Carolina please contact Thomas White, Manager of Sugar Valley Airport at 336-413-6800 or Twhite@directapproach.org or visit them on the web at http://www.sugarvalleyairport.org/