155 Borden Gray GC 
155 BORDEN GREY
AIR CADET SQUADRON
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Three local Air Cadets of the 155 Borden Grey Air Cadet Squadron received their pilot wings this past Wednesday night at the annual Wings Parade.
Hard work and no monetary cost to the cadets earned them their pilots wings while attending summer training.
Flight Officer (retired) Harold Soderlund was the reviewing officer for the parade, himself a pilot.
Mr Soderlund flew Beaufighter night fighters during World War II also received his pilots wings at a similar wings parade in Claresholm, Alberta in 1943.
In keeping with Air Force tradition which dates back more than 100 years to the very beginning of the age of aviation, at the end of each training course the new pilots were brought in front of their commanding officers, instructors, staff and various dignitaries to receive their wings.
The local 155 has added to this tradition by having the new pilots mothers present the wings in front of the rest of the squadron.
Cadets Chris Seymour and Avery Simmons earned their glider pilot wings and Randel Warren his power pilot wings.
The two new glider pilots spent over three months of one-night-a-week of ground school training and then passed a written exam with other candidates across the province for a limited number of summer training slots.
Because of their high scores in the written exam, they each were accepted for a six-week Glider Pilot Scholarship this past summer.
They again took an intense ground school and in-flight glider pilot training.
The cadets, who successfully completed their in-flight test and the Transport Canada written exam, were qualified for a Glider Pilot License.
Chris Seymour distinguished himself by having the highest mark on the written Transport Canada exam of the 82 Air Cadets on the course.
This earned him the Major N. Cairns Trophy, Top Academic Pilot Award.
Chris Seymour commented when receiving the award: “It is better to understand what is being taught to you rather than trying to memorize all of the information.”
After receiving his wings Wednesday night, he reflected back to his first solo flight.
“It’s not nearly as nerve-wracking as people would think, by the time you go solo you’ve done so much training its second nature. It feels a lot like flying with your instructor, only quieter.”
As for getting the word out about air cadets, he said: “There are so many things you can do as a cadet. Even if you don’t like flying, there are opportunities that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, much less all in the same place.”
The 155’s third pilot is Cadet Randal Warren who earned his glider pilot License last year and then earned a spot at this summer’s seven-week Power Pilot Scholarship course.
Intense ground school, in-flight pilot training followed by the successful completion of the Transport Canada written exam qualified him for his Private Pilots License.
He also received two bursaries, each from past cadets of the 155.
A cheque for $1,000, which can be used for further flight hours, was presented as part of the Al Tayler bursary.
Mr Tayler was one of the first of four 155 air cadets to receive their Power Pilots Wings and generously donated a sum of money given to the power pilot each year.
He also received $200 from Mr John Zorzi, a first generation 155 Air Cadet, as part of the Zorzi bursary which signifies three generations of 155 cadets.
His two daughters and one son were 155 cadets.
One daughter earned her Power Pilot Wings and a grandson, recently retired Nicolas Desando, earned his Glider and Power Wings as a 155 Air Cadet.
The Zorzi bursary also presented $200 each to Chris Seymour and Avery Simmons.
Mr Soderlund stated: “I was impressed by the smart appearance and good discipline of the cadets and their excellent band. I highly commend the cadets and all who support them.”
As for the three pilots receiving their wings: “I wish them great success.”
His service during World War II was with 603 City of Edinburgh Squadron based in Gambut Libya in January 1944.
On the night of August 30,1944, his Beaufighter was shot down into the Sea of Crete while attacking an enemy aircraft.
He and his navigator Ian Nichol survived the ditching of their plane.
After drifting for two days, they were captured by German forces and became prisoner of war until being liberated in April 1945.
The Annual Wings Parade is also a chance to recognize cadets for years of service, successful completion of summer training and promotions.
The 155 squadron is currently accepting new recruits and there is no fee to join, for the uniform or participate in the training.
The 155 Pipe and Drum Band offers free lessons with instruments provided to the musicians at no cost.
The 155 meets at the Pine Street Armoury on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
For more information on the Air Cadet program, visit www.cadets.ca and come down on Wednesday night to see what this youth program has to offer boys and girls aged 12 to 19 years of age.
To see what it is like to go gliding go this YouTube video taken at Penhold Alberta Air Cadet Camp.
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