Members of the Civil Air Patrol’s Statesboro Composite Squadron experienced the thrill of flight in a whole new way during a field trip to iFLY Jacksonville on Monday, March 10.
A total of 19 cadets and senior members participated in the event, which combined aerospace education with hands-on experience in indoor skydiving. The day began with an engaging STEM lesson covering the principles of aerodynamics, airflow, and terminal velocity. Cadets explored how these forces affect both real-world aviation and the body’s movement in free fall.
Following the lesson, each participant suited up for two individual flight sessions inside iFLY’s state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel. With expert guidance from instructors, cadets applied what they had learned as they controlled their body positions to achieve stable flight.
“This was an incredible opportunity to connect aerospace education with real-world application,” said Capt. JoEllen Flannery, Squadron Commander. “Cadets not only learned the science behind flight but also got to experience it firsthand in a safe, controlled environment.”
The event was part of CAP’s ongoing mission to inspire youth through aerospace education, leadership training, and hands-on experiences. The Statesboro Composite Squadron continues to seek out innovative ways to engage cadets in aviation-related activities and STEM learning.
For more information about the Civil Air Patrol and the Statesboro Composite Squadron, visit Statesboro.cap.gov or email us at [email protected].
