Marks A Record Of First Solo Flights During The Summer Session

Five teenagers have achieved their first solo flight at the 2018 Civil Air Patrol Glider Academy in Fairbanks, Alaska this month.

The number is a record for the summer session, according to a report in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner newspaper.

The CAP holds glider academies at several sites around the country each year. The coursework includes ground school and flight instruction.

In Fairbanks earlier this month, the five teenagers who achieved their first solo went through a traditional drenching with water, which the paper said was an homage to the days when pilots dumped water ballast out of their airplanes. They also had the backs of their shirts cut out, which is a tradition for new pilots flying powered aircraft as well.

One student came from as far away as Japan for the Alaska Glider Academy. Isabella Mollison's father is stationed there, but had previously been posted in Alaska. This is her third year to attend the Glider Academy. In 2016 she was the only girl to participate. In 2018, she was one of four.

(Image provided by Maj. Ute Kaden [pictured, right] with CAP Capt. Isabella Mollison [left] via the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

FMI: Original report