The chance to soar above the Bulkley Valley in a glider the weekend of May 10-11 helped mark the end of activities for the year for a group from the 747 Air Cadets Unicorn Squadron.
Fourteen cadets over two days travelled to the Smithers airport to experience glider flight which along with its Cessna 182 tow aircraft was supplied through the national air cadet program.
Local air cadets have the opportunity once a year to go gliding depending upon their own schedules and when a glider and tow aircraft is available.
The trip to Smithers for one cadet, Warrant Officer Second Class Valyn Spenser, was notable as her flight was her first in a glider but also her last as she is graduating from the air cadet program this year, noted cadet Captain Chris Bishop, the squadron's supply officer.
Cadet activities for the current season wind up June 7 at the Sportsplex for the squadron's annual parade, review and presentation of awards. It begins at 1:00 p.m.
Having the event at the Sportsplex is a break from tradition as it is usually held outside at the squadron's hall at the Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat, but a donor arranged for the use of the Sportsplex to avoid the chance of inclement weather, said Bishop.
Among awards and honours to be presented is cadet of the year, the Royal Canadian Legion's Medal of Excellence and the Lord Strathcona Medal. The latter recognizes training, service and overall performance.
Although the June 7 event winds up 747 squadron's season, some cadets will be headed to cadet training camps over the course of the summer. And one cadet has been selected to attend glider school.
