Submitted by 561 Nelson Osprey Air Cadet Squadron
After a long pause due to COVID-19, the cadets of 561 Nelson Osprey air cadets have once again taken to the skies.
On Jan. 22, six of the Nelson air cadets went flying in the Cessna 177 owned by the Nelson Pilots Association. The cadets flew for an hour and went from the Nelson airport to Castlegar, then back towards Nelson and up the West Arm of Kootenay Lake to Balfour, before returning to Nelson.
During the rest of this training year, the cadets will have another opportunity to fly in powered aircraft, go flying in gliders owned by the Air Cadet League of B.C., participate in a survival exercise and launch model rockets.
This year marks 70 years of air cadets in Nelson. As part of the anniversary, the squadron is hoping to get in contact with former members. If you were a member of 561 as either a cadet, adult staff, or a member of the sponsoring committee, please contact us at 561air@cadets.gc.ca. Let us know what you have done since you were in 561 and send us any pictures that you have in your time with 561.
The squadron always welcome new cadets who are between the ages of 12 and 18. You can start your application at https://bit.ly/3j79pZ8.
The squadron meets every Wednesday evening at the Nelson Eagles Hall, 641 Baker St., from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adults who would like to volunteer with the squadron are also welcome.
