Flight instructors from around North Dakota gathered at Avflight, Minot International Airport Sunday, starting the process of tripling Magic City Composite Squadron’s number of qualified pilots. Minot’s local squadron has only one Cessna 172 and no Civil Air Patrol instructors. Pilots from Fargo, Carrington, and Dickinson brought their unit’s aircraft and expertise to train three new members and re-qualify two experienced members in CAP flying.

Pilots certified by the FAA can join CAP to fly search and rescue, transport, disaster response, and cadet orientation flights, however, additional CAP specific training is required. Magic City’s Sebastian Forster coordinated with North Dakota Wing’s Lt. Col. Chad Smith, based in Fargo, to gather the two additional aircraft and four instructor pilots required for the day’s training. Three pilots, experienced in flying, but new to CAP received corporate sponsored training, up to two hours, in a Cessna 172. These initial flights are provided to better prepare pilots for their initial flight check to become a CAP pilot.

Two experienced CAP pilots, based in Minot, also received secondary training and evaluation today. Capt. Jeremy Skalicky and Capt. Benjamin Conlin required use of Fargo’s Cessna 182 to maintain advanced qualification, not available in the locally based 172 aircraft. “The 172 is great for bringing new pilots onboard,” said Skalicky, however, North Dakota Wing has twice as many 182 aircraft as 172 which requires distinct practice. Skalicky was able to complete his annual evaluation, while Conlin returned to flying fixed-wing aircraft in preparation for his re-evaluation.

Continued training is still required for CAP pilots at Minot. One student became sick the night prior to scheduled training while another new member, from Minot’s Williston section, missed this month’s training altogether due to a scheduling conflict. Four of the pilots who flew today still required initial examination flights. The next flight training day for Minot is scheduled for mid-February, depending on weather conditions.

Air and ground crews from the Magic City and squadrons around the state have also been scheduled for advanced search and rescue training next month. Members are planned to fly and drive to Mandan, on February 10th, to train as ground search and rescue teams for members age 12 and up and aircrew for members at least 18 years old. Previous flying experience or pilot licensing not required to participate.

Several team positions remain open to be filled in the Magic City Composite Squadron. Positions include, but are not limited to, aerospace education instructors, ground support, and of course, aircrew. People who are interested in finding out more about Civil air Patrol in Minot can call or text squadron commander, Maj. Jeffrey Slocum at 701-360-5948, or visit weekly squadron meetings 6:30 Tuesday evenings upstairs at Avlight.