KAMSACK — Although COVID-19 threw a wrench into the Kamsack air cadet squadron’s plans to travel to Newfoundland two years ago, it resulted in the squadron being able to acquire a much-appreciated flight simulator.
After their European trip, the cadets were looking forward to visiting Eastern Canada and were well on their way raising money for that trip. The collection of redeemable bottles and cans was the group’s main impetus, said Lt. Karen Tourangeau, the commanding officer.
For three summers the cadets collected those cans and bottles, said Karen Bodnaryk, a civilian instructor, who explained that one former cadet, WOI Aidan Broda, and his mother Becky Patterson, who is still the squadron’s treasurer, were especially busy with the collections.
As part of their collection methods, Aidan and his mother told their friends and neighbours to drop off bottles in their back shed, Bodnaryk said. Occasionally when they would pick up the cans and bottles they would drive down their back alley to find many collections of cans and bottles placed for them to pick up.
Ultimately, the pair was responsible for generating $3,500 from their collections, while the rest of the squadron earned $2,300 from their collections, resulting in a total of $5,800 which went towards to purchase of a flight simulator which cost $6,800.
“We still have to raise about $1,000 to finish paying for the equipment,” Bodnaryk said. “So, we’re still collecting cans and bottles.
“Purchasing the flight simulator last July was the realization of a dream,” she said. The squadron has been wanting the equipment for its aviation class for a while.
The simulator allows cadets an experience similar to what pilots use to train before being seated in an actual cockpit, Tourangeau said, explaining that the equipment can be set to mimic a variety of cockpits for a variety of aircraft.
It is really valuable for any cadet wanting to become a pilot, she said. “The experience is like flying a plane.”
The Kamsack squadron held its annual ceremonial review yesterday (June 1) at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute where Cpl. Mike Rosset, a former Kamsack RCMP officer, was the reviewing officer.
The cadets will be visible at the Kamsack branch of the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Decoration Day service at Riverview Cemetery on Sunday (June 5) and their parents will be busy selling hot dogs and burgers during the Canada Day celebration at the Kamsack Sportsground on July 1.
Come September, the cadets will once again be raising funds with the sale of Mom’s Pantry products and their calendars.
