That CAP Grin

By: 1st Lt Reginald L "Reg" Weaver, CAP

Aerospace Education Officer, Cape Fear Composite Squadron

Ms. Agnes Gault is a 6th through 8th grade elective teacher at Williston Middle School in Wilmington NC. Her focus has been teaching E-Business. With encouragement from the Cape Fear Composite Squadron, she became an Aerospace Education Member (AEM) in November 2023 and ordered the weather station STEM Kit for the school. Although she has traveled (and worked) all over the globe, she had never been in a four-seat, single-engine airplane. Through the Teacher Orientation Program (TOP), she got her chance on 27 April 2024!

Lt Col John Phillips readied a C-172S assigned to the squadron and based at the Wilmington International Airport (KILM). He gave a thorough pre-flight briefing, covering the route they will fly, each instrument and gauge, as well as the purpose and function of each. Ms. Gault admitted a slight anxiety when briefed on the possible use of the “sick sack,” nervously hoping it would not be required. As it turned out, she needed not worry.

After engine start, taxi and with ATC clearance, they broke ground and headed toward the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic coastline. Once taking the controls and gently maneuvering the aircraft, she was hooked! Passing Carolina Beach, they followed the Cape Fear River north toward KILM. Nearing the airport, they received clearance to circle the school, which she was able to recognize from the ballfields.

She arrived with that irrepressible CAP Grin! After receiving her TOP Certificate, all she could say is, “I want to learn to fly!”

For More Information:

1st Lt Reginal Weaver, CAP

E-mail: Reginald.Weaver@ncwgcap.org