CAP members, both Seniors and Cadets, have an opportunity to expand their aerospace education.  Cadets take part in aerospace classes at squadron meetings. When they join the program they receive a binder from National Headquarters that include a leadership book and six aerospace module books.  As part of their requirement to advance in rank, cadets must pass tests on various aspects of aerospace education. 

About once a year, cadets under the age of 18 can take part in orientation flights.  They go into the air with a pilot who has been trained to teach cadets how to fly.  As cadets advance in the program, those who are over the age of 16 and have the grade of Staff Sergeant or higher can apply to various summer programs where they can earn their wings.

Cadet Hoffman going over the instruments one last time before her first O-Flight

 Cadet King shows the idea behind the Hero Engine

 The aerospace books cover topics such as the history of aviation, rocketry, space exploration, and how to read aircraft instruments.  Our Squadron's Aerospace Officer, Major Andrew Shaffer, was a test pilot for the United States Air Force.  He and other pilots at the squadron are able to add a personal touch to the classes.

The books include many experiments to better explain scientific principals.  Here are Teaneck Composite Squadron cadets taking part in experiments that help them understand the principals behind rockets.

Cadets make paper rockets and use air power to learn the concepts of rocket structure and thrust

  

   

 

All the cadets take turns using stomp rockets to understand how thrust works.

After completing the experiment cadets each explained the need for a rocket to be open at one of the ends using the pre-made one as a model.

Cadet Aguirre uses a balloon to demonstrate all three of Newton's Laws of Motion

Antacids are dropped into a film container to demonstrate the theory behind liquid propellant in rockets.  When the water and the antacid mix, it causes a chemical reaction which produces thrust.  This is very similar to what happens in a rocket when gasoline and the oxidizer (liquid oxygen) mix.

 

 

   

 

 

For More Information Contact Capt Hoffman at ahoffman@nj.rr.com