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Abbotsford air cadets record successes

Arjun Gill receives private pilot's licence, while Oleg Moskvin was named top cadet in his platoon at summer training centre
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Arjun Gill was in Comox for seven weeks where he obtained his private pilot’s licence.

Abbotsford’s Arjun Gill was one of 36 air cadets selected from across British Columbia to get their private pilot’s licence.

Gill spent his summer at the regional gliding school (Pacific) in Comox on the Air Cadet Private Pilot Scholarship Course. Gill, a member of 861 Silverfox squadron in Abbotsford, was trained on a Cessna 172 and a Cessna 152, to achieve Transport Canada’s private pilot licence standards in just seven weeks. The minimum age for this scholarship course is 17.

Gill said he was excited to receive his private pilot’s licence. When asked what taking the scholarship course meant to him, he joked, “I am now on my way to becoming the Top Gun.”

“These young men and women have worked long and hard to earn this prestigious scholarship opportunity, and will work even harder throughout the course, as they pursue their dreams and career goals,” said Lt.-Col. Keith Stewart, commanding officer of RGS (Pacific).

Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a national co-educational youth organization sponsored in partnership by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada. In British Columbia there are approximately 3,700 air cadets enrolled in 57 squadrons.

Those interested in joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadets can contact the 861 Silvefox squadron at 604-852-5755 or by join the squadron Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Air Cadet Building at Exhibition Park (unit 14, 32470 Haida Dr.) beginning Sept. 17.

Moskvin takes top honour

Abbotsford cadet Oleg Moskvin (in right in photo below) was named top cadet in 17 Platoon at the final parade of Delta Training Group at Vernon Cadet Summer Training Centre.

Moskvin is a member of the Abbotsford-based 861 Silverfox  Royal Canadian air cadet squadron.

Moskvin attended the six-week army cadet marksmanship instructor course at Vernon Cadet Summer Training Centre, where cadets learned the principles of army cadet marksmanship, how to lead marksmanship activities, how to assist the range safety officer and how to coach younger cadets.

In addition, the cadets toured Vernon and enjoyed recreational swimming.

Each summer more than 1,300 army, sea and air cadets from Western Canada spend up to six weeks in Vernon, expanding the training they receive at their home corps, developing new skills and forming new friendships.

The cadet program is a national program for young Canadians aged 12 to 18 who are interested in participating in a variety of fun, challenging and rewarding activities while learning about the sea, army and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.