Winchester Civil Air Patrol Cadet Flies Solo
WINCHESTER, Va. (June 22, 2022) – "While soloing all I could feel was excitement. Excitement to be in a plane, flying all myself and afterward I felt relief and accomplished to have achieved my solo." -Joseph Selznick, Civil Air Patrol cadet in Winchester Composite Squadron.
Congratulations to Cadet Senior Airman Joseph Selznick for solo-ing on his 16th birthday! The Winchester resident has been in love with aviation since 11 years old, when he took an introductory flight, and has been taking lessons ever since! Starting in a Van's RV-6 getting lessons from a friend when he was 13 years old, he began to take lessons with Aviation Adventures from when he was 14 years old, up until this last winter. At this point, he began taking lessons with a Senior Member in his squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Dean "Norm" Anderson. He helped C/SrA Selznick get ready and made sure that Cadet Selznick got to solo right on his 16th birthday.
Lt. Col. Anderson said the following about C/SrA Selznick's performance: "Teaching Joe was very easy. He came to me with a lot of flight time. He was ready to solo the first time I flew with him in August of last year. Joe is already a very good pilot; I anticipate his only getting better and better. He’s got a very bright future."
Flight lessons weren't the only thing that helped C/SrA Selznick out, he credits flight simulators such as Microsoft Flight Simulator X + 2020, as well as Digital Combat Simulator, with helping him understand how the aircraft works and to help him get a 'feel' for flying.
For any other young adults interested in flying, C/SrA Selznick shares the following: "Take introductory flights outside of Civil Air Patrol and/or take O-Rides to experience flight and see if it's something they want to do. STEM Flights is a great group to take a flight with as well as EAA. If it is something they want to do, I'd tell them to start taking lessons if they're 15 or older and be patient because, when you're young, it takes a lot of time." Different resources are available for Civil Air Patrol cadets who want money to pay for flight lessons, including the Cadet Wings program in Civil Air Patrol, and many other scholarships / grants.
For More Information:
SFO Cyrus Rodriguez <cyrus.rodriguez@vawg.cap.gov>
