| Wings ‘n’ Things/Aviation May 24, 2004 AIR FORCE JROTC PROGRAM AT DUNNELLON Col. John Clark of the Air Force JROTC at Dunnellon High School is very proud of the aviation training program and the cadets and instructors involved in it. He said, "There are 744 JROTC units and only about 100 of them are doing this program because it takes so much effort." What a credit to his group! At Dunnellon High Scool, every Monday night for the past 36 weeks Don Stroliske, an FAA-certified flight instructor (CFI), has been conduction a Private Pilot Ground School from 6 until 9 p.m. The course is a part of the JROTC curriculum options but it requires approval from JROTC headquarters. Also volunteering their time as instructors are Col. Clark and MSgt. Burlison. However, neither Colonel Clark, nor MSgt Burlison are CFIs. Colonel Clark described the program and its need for a CFI at a Yankee Air Force meeting at Dunnellon/Marion CountyAirport soon after the unit was activated in 2002. Stroliske stopped Clark in the parking lot after the meeting and said, "I would be glad to do that for you." Dunnellon High School Principal Bobby James interviewed Stroliske and he passed with flying colors. Mr. James is as excited as the cadets. "This is just such a great experience and opportunity available to these students. I am amazed that we are this far along in only the second year of the program," he said. Ten cadets completed the course on Monday, May 17th, finals week at the high school. They include: Ruthie Berrios, Mary Coots, Ashley Evans, Casey Farrington, Nathalie Lugo, Amanda Mirza, Kristine Prchal, James Sheppard, David Tripp and Ashley Voorhees. James Sheppard received recognition as the top student and will soon be taking the FAA Private Pilot Ground School Test. Stroliske not only taught the course but also arranged two especially enjoyable learning experiences for the cadets. On April 20th, he and five other private plane owners took the cadets to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for a tour of the airport and aviation museum. As they were flying cadets received individual instruction on radio operations, pre-flighting procedures, and basic in-flight procedures and operations such as turns, take off and landing procedures and the associated calls to control centers. The parts of an airplane took on new meaning for the students when seeing them and watching ailerons and rudder controls move before their very eyes. Tuesday, May 18th 76 members of the Corps had the opportunity to observe Stroliske's Piper Arrow II receiving its annual inspection. Again, there is no learning quite like seeing the service being performed. With the cowling removed, cadets were able to observe the Lycoming engine and learn its characteristics. No classroom visual aid can match seeing the actual plane and its parts. A pitot tube now has real meaning and is more than just a strange, hard-to-remember word. This is the second year the cadets have had the opportunity to observe the annual inspection of Stroliske's plane. The process is getting more refined each year with 50 % more students able to observe this year than last. Next year, the most promising students will get to participate for half a day rather than the short 15-25 minute experiences of the past two years. Equally revealing was seeing the propeller that had been sent off for resurfacing as recommended every five years. The $1800 price tag for this procedure also gave the cadets an idea of how much money is tied up in owning and maintaining an aircraft. Col. Clark also pointed out that the Dunnellon cadets not only received these opportunities through Stroliske's kindness and dedication, but they also have had opportunities to fly with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Young Eagles program. Cadets had two opportunities to fly this year and will have two more during the summer. EAA president Wayne Fieldhouse and flight coordinator Bill Hines have a program established to offer rides on June 10th and July 1st at the Ocala International Airport. Earl Meredith, Claude and Carolyn Mills, and John Gampp of the Yankee Air Force have also worked closely with the cadets in a mutually supportive effort. Cadets earn Community Service points by helping out with Yankee Air Force programs such as at the annual corn fest, aircraft displays, the recent YAF anniversary celebration, the days spent with the visiting WWII bombers last winter and the November air show. Ruthie Berrios coordinates the support from the cadet side, ensuring that 10-15 cadets are available as needed. Free food is also a bonus that the YAF so willingly and generously provide the cadets. Stroliske, the Young Eagle pilots and Yankee Air Force aviation enthusiasts are passing on their love of flying to a large number of Dunnellon High School cadets and deserve a hearty thank you for their fantastic contributions to the future of aviation and the community. |