Bird’s-eye view rewards T.F. cadets [The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho]

Aug. 29--Saturday morning chores are usually tedious, especially for a teenager. But it's amazing how fast the grass gets cut or how brightly the windows sparkle when the reward is an airplane ride across southern Idaho.

Civil Air Patrol pilots flew three Cessna airplanes into the Twin Falls airport Saturday morning to give orientation rides to area cadets. The event was organized by Boise CAP pilot Nick Marsh, who said that Twin Falls cadets hadn't received CAP rides in more than four years so their time had come.

The uniformed cadets gathered at the airport's CAP building before the first airplane arrived at 8 a.m., and passed the time watching airplane videos and sharing a breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Cadet Ken Marshall was busy pinning patches and a name tag on a new camouflage shirt that had arrived just in time for its maiden voyage. As the Buhl High School sophomore shrugged into the pressed uniform, he was too excited to care that the safety pins didn't quite secure the bits of material.

CAP Capt. Richard Powell said 12 out of 18 cadets had put in enough work, studying aerospace concepts, flight maneuvers and airplane safety, to qualify for Saturday's flight. Four of those cadets have been waiting longer than a year. The rest are fairly new; some have joined in just the past few months.

Many of the senior members are also new. Fifteen adults, all volunteers, now belong to the Twin Falls CAP, some of whom have no flight experience.

"The group used to be fairly strong but we lost some senior members and the older cadets moved on," Powell said. "Because our funding comes from sponsors and donations, we fell short for a few years."

Powell said the recent growth in both senior and cadet members resulted from a few adults getting out and "rattling the bushes."

The three airplanes had to be recruited from the CAP units in Burley, Boise and Nampa. Powell said a squadron needs to have eight to 12 cadets before it is assigned an airplane, which is why it's been so long since the cadets received a flight and why he hopes their numbers continue to grow.

"My goal is to eventually get an airplane in Twin Falls," Marsh said.

Siblings Nathan and Laura Wheeler were all business as they accompanied Burley pilot Jeff Heins out to the airplane for their ride. Laura rode shotgun with Nathan in the back for the hour ride to Burley and they switched on the flight back.

Both trailed Heins closely as he explained the steps of the preflight inspection, then it was time to get in and start the engine. A Boise cadet waited in front of the plane until they were ready to taxi and then he marshaled them onto the taxiway and gave a smart salute.

The airplanes could take only six cadets for the first round of flights so the others were put to work at the CAP building while they waited for their chance. Cadet Gabriella Ibarra washed the outside of the building in her new uniform. The Wendell High School junior joined a few months ago and was excited to already be flying.

"My grandfather was in the Air Force," Ibarra said. "When I grow up, I want to be a pilot."

Squadron commander Robin Wells said CAP is not just about flying. Cadets can participate in several special programs, including survival, communications and aviation business. But as with the orientation flights, cadets have to put in the time and effort to qualify for the programs.

"These kids have to learn to do things according to regulations, which most haven't had to do," Wells said. "They go through an attitudinal change, and when they walk out the door, they're a lot better."

Laura Lundquist may be reached at llundquist@magicvalley.com or 735-3376.

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