MAR-NC-001 (NC Wing)
Main Content

COVID-19 Innovation and Best Practices

Updated: 11 April 2020

Across North Carolina Wing, our squadrons and members rise to challenges presented by COVID-19, and are constantly innovating in order to continue meeting and training virtually, while in person activities are suspended.   Please contact the commanders for more detailed information.

If you as a squadron/member have anything to add to these Innovations/Best Practices, please e-mail them to the NC Wing PAO, 1st Lt Liz Dunster at ldunster@ncwgcap.org with “Innovations/Best Practices submission” in the subject line.  

Here are some of the solutions:

Aerospace Education:

NC-057:  The squadron has conducted an interactive aerospace activity using Kerbal Space Program, where cadets have designed and assembled a lunar lander and rover to land on the Moon (the Mun in Kerbal land), led by the Cadet Commander.  The program uses accurate science, and has proven to be quite a hit.

Contact: ldunster@ncwgcap.org

Cadet Programs Testing

NC-111 and NC-300 in Group 6 have devised a virtual testing arrangement that will allow cadets to continue to promote per and remain active per the directive of our National Commander, Gen Smith. Their virtual testing arrangement also addresses how to deal with milestone testing.  This alternative to in person testing was well thought out and will allow cadets to continue to progress.

Virtual Milestone Testing Environment:

  • Two laptops will be required: a Testing Laptop and an Observation Laptop.
  • Cadet will be seated with no break during testing.
  • Cadet-provided Testing Laptop will be placed on a clean table (no books, clutter, or other obstructions).
  • Cadet’s Cell phone will be placed face-down out of arm’s reach on the table.
  • No smart watches permitted.
  • Testing Laptop microphone will remain on and not muted.
  • No talking in the testing room except in emergencies.
  • No family members should be in view of the testing laptop screen while the test is active.
  • Two Testing Officers will be on the Teams call for the duration of testing.

Virtual Milestone Testing Procedures:

  1. Testing Officer will set up a Teams meeting and will include:
    1. The cadet testing
    2. A second Testing Officer for CAP 60-2 compliance
  2. Testing Laptop: The cadet will use the Teams Application and use their NCWG login to join the meeting.
  3. Observation Laptop: The cadet will use a web browser to join the Teams meeting as a guest (no NCWG login required).
  4. The cadet will turn on webcam video for the Observation Laptop and present the Testing Officers with a video sweep of the testing environment, location of cadet cell phone (out of reach, face down) and place the Observation Laptop so that it has a side view of the cadet and surrounding testing area for the duration of the test.
  5. The cadet will share the Testing Laptop screen on the Teams meeting, ensuring they are sharing their entire screen and not just a window.
  6. The cadet will login to eServices and access the desired milestone test.
  7. The Testing Officer will request control of the cadet’s screen and enter their test proctor log in remotely.
  8. The cadet will take the test. During the test, Testing Officers will monitor two things:
    1. The screen share to ensure integrity of the test (no alt-tab’ing).
    2. The video side-camera from the Observation Laptop to ensure no other materials or cueing are used.
  9. When complete, the Testing Officer will debrief as usual with the cadet and then LOG OUT of eServices on the cadet’s device.
  10. At any time the Testing Officer may request a review of the testing area where the Observation Laptop will be used to show the testing room.

** If the cadet does not have a second laptop available then Face-time or similar video calling software can be used in coordination with a participating Testing Officer.

Virtual Milestone Testing Anomalies:

  1. If the Testing Laptop or Observing Laptop drops off the Teams call then the lead Testing Officer will contact the cadet via phone and instruct them to close the test. The test will be considered invalid. The Testing Officer should confirm in Cadet Online Testing Admin that the test is closed incomplete.
  2. The Testing Officer may unlock the test for a second attempt if this was a genuine technology issue.
  3. If this happens more than once the Testing Officer should wait to reschedule until the internet connectively is confirmed to be reliable.   Any concerns about testing integrity should be reported.
  4. Mac devices may require the cadet to go to Privacy and Security Settings and allow Microsoft Teams in Accessibility and Screen Recording and then restart the Teams App.

Contact:  Tom.Conroy@ncwgcap.org or  Sherry.Haskell@ncwgcap.org

Safety:

NC-052 provides the monthly safety briefing via periodic emails.

Contact: Rufus.Brock@ncwgcap.org

 

Squadron Meetings

NC-126 keeps members engaged through regular contact with a phone tree. Cadets are communicating on Discord with supervision and cadet staff are reaching out and mentoring./encouraging cadets by phone individually. The squadron is issuing challenges for members for ES, fitness, AE and more and members turn in work examples or photos.

Contact: jfheath@nc126.ncwgcap.org

NC-121 is a Senior Squadron that meets twice a month, not weekly.  During their virtual meetings they are covering various subjects including ES training.  Individual squadron department heads are sending out emails of suggested activities for members to do. AOB flights continue to operate and other allowed flight operations will continue.  Their social media account is updated regularly to show the members and friends that we are active.

Contact: bbenson@ncwgcap.org

NC-057 is proceeding with virtual meetings following the format of the regular meeting as closely as possible.  The Cadet Commander calls the meeting to order, asking members to stand at their computers, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, while an American flag appears on the screen.  Cadets then recite the cadet oath, led by the Cadet Commander. The Commander takes roll call, and proceeds with announcements. 2 virtual meeting rooms are set up prior to the evening, so that cadets can continue with their cadet activity, and seniors can meet separately for non-cadet related business like they would usually, simultaneously, as necessary. 

Contact: ldunster@ncwgcap.org

NC-048  sets aside a regular meeting time 3 x per week for members at 1900.  All meetings are scheduled to last 45 minutes to 60 mins max to maximize attention.

Tuesday: cadet meeting. From CDI to Teams and everything in between.

Wednesday: Social Hour for Seniors. No agenda, from personal stories to CAP topics  (we end up talking about CAP most of the time because this is our background). Come for 5 minutes, 10 minutes …1 hour. Help your buddy, support your buddy.

Thursday: cadet meeting or cadet and senior meeting. If it is Cadet meeting it is typically ES training; if it is joint meeting, typically it is about Safety and AE meeting as Safety Officer and AE officer can address both audience in once. Or the first part is for both sides and then the Cadet will drop off for the second part (last 30 minutes).

In addition Emergency Services training is conducted on a Saturday morning @0900: currently this is an AP class, but has also been a 70-1 discussion in the past. 

Contact: agriffa@ncwgcap.org

NC-150 ‘s virtual meeting format follows the format of an in-person meeting.  Cadets have found video’s to watch together on the topic of drill.

Contact: Ronald.Long@ncwgcap.org

Emergency Services Training:

NC-048  conducts emergency services training on a Saturday morning @0900: currently this is an AP class, but has also been a 70-1 discussion in the past. 

Contact: agriffa@ncwgcap.org

NC-150 ‘s Capt Bobby Williams has created an innovative map reading class, which they have shared across the NC Wing, and which has seen participation across the NC Wing.

Contact: Bobby.Williams@ncwgcap.org

© 2024 Civil Air Patrol. All rights reserved.
×