Please "Search" for our cadets

..."Good Search," that is!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our squadron could provide 2 cadets with 50% scholarships to encampment each year? or maybe pay for an airline ticket to an NCSA? With a little help, it is entirely possible. So far this year, and with only a few of us actually using Good Search for Internet searches (instead of Google, AOL or Bing,) we have earned $45.

It's easy to do. Just sign in and select your charity (us we hope.) Then when you need to search, type it in the "Good Search" search bar. It actually uses the Yahoo Search engine but by going through Good Search we earn money as you search the web.

If you haven't signed up or have forgotten about using it, make sure you sign in and look for Ascension Civil Air Patrol Cadets at the top of the page.

Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and start raising money today (Charity ID 935758.)

Every penny counts!

IMPORTANT DATES: Mark Your Calendar

In November of 2012, Louisiana Wing will participate in a graded exercise conducted by the United States Air Force. We refer to this as the SAREVAL. The purpose of the SAREVAL is to ensure that we are prepared, willing and able to carry out assigned missions safely, effectively and in accordance with USAF standards. All members (Seniors AND Cadets) participate in this event and qualified personnel are require in all areas, aircrews, ground teams, mission base staff, command staff, flight line, communication....etc.

This event usually begins early Saturday, and if all goes well, we get the preliminary report during Sunday Morning briefing. Please mark your calendars for travel to Alexandria Friday through Sunday the weekend of 2 NOV 2012. Participation in this event is important but training for it is just as important. We will have several training activities in the coming months and participation in some of those events will be necessary in order to be qualified and prepared to function as a team during the Eval. 

The First SAREX that our squadron will participate in, with emphasis on the SAREVAL will be the weekend of 27 JUL 2012. Please mark your calendar for travel to Alexandria over that weekend. The actual travel times have not been determined but we will likely leave Friday and return either Saturday evening or Sunday. Like most missions, be prepared to be flexible (SEMPER GUMBY!) and if there is something we need to work around so you can participate, the sooner you let us know the better. 

Here are some key dates you may want to mark

• Weekend of 10 AUG 2012 (Practice SAREX in Alexandria)
• Weekend of  7 SEP 2012  (Practice SAREX in Alexandria)
• Weekend of 13 OCT 2012 (CTEP / Academy in Lafayette)
• Weekend of  2 NOV 2012 (SAREVAL in Alexandria)
• Saturday 15 DEC 2012 (Wreaths Across America Ceremony)

If you are new to Emergency Services, please be sure to take the first step and complete GES116.

 Follow this LINK

Request an O-Flight

Let's try out a new way of requesting O-Flights! 

There is also a new link above.............

Click Here to Request Flight

ATTENTION CADETS: Its time to plan!

What National Cadet Special Activities do you want to apply for next Summer? 

We had a record number of cadets apply and get accepted to NCSAs this year and that is awesome. One common mistake is thinking, "I'm too new." That is so untrue. A cadet who joins TODAY could be on a plane next June to any number of activities. It just takes a little effort and 'know-how.'  You provide the effort and we provide the know-how!

We want our cadets to enjoy the full benefits of the Cadet Program. That means reaching beyond the walls of our squadron and our wing to experience the many opportunities across the country and internationally.

1. Visit the Nation Cadet Special Activities Site 

                National Emergency Services Academy

                Lonestar Emergency Services Academy

                

2. List, in order of preference, 20 activities that you MIGHT want to go to if Money were no object and dates did not conflict.

3. Starting with your current Grade, list the next 6 Achievements and the date you plan to complete each (be reasonable and consider what else you have going on in your life.) ....and 

4. Stay turned in. There will be a meeting where we will discuss your individual CAP Career Plan for those who are serious about this. 

"Full of Hot Air" (but not full enough)

AEROSPACE EDUCATION

Last night, for Aerospace Education, the cadets used their creative ingenuity in an attempt to make a Tissue Paper Hot Air Balloon take flight. Knowing that the recommended launch mechanism called for a burner and a 6 inch diameter double chamber pipe, and we did not have this, they began to improvise (my favorite part!) 

To create a heat source (and of course after doing ORM and under the supervision of adults) they used our propane tank with extension pole and placed the burner portion of a Coleman Lantern on top (without the globe.) This alone provided plenty heat but they found that it also heated the air around the balloon. They decided they needed a way to direct the hot air more into the mouth of the balloon. After some readjusting, they added the glass globe around the lantern filaments and added aluminium foil around the glass to emulate a pipe and directed the heat. They had a little better success in that the hot air was now going into the balloon, but although the air in the balloon was getting hot, it still lacked volume needed to lift the balloon.

 

They came to to conclusion that they needed a way for more air to be blown into or pulled into the balloon while the air was being heated and that the purpose for the double wall pipe was to allow more air to flow up into the balloon. This challenge will continue......

QUESTION: Which one of you science buffs can tell me what is the "effect" that will create the increased air flow into the balloon?  

Status of Balloon Festival - Date changed

All, 

I just got off the phone with Charlotte Guedry with the Ascension Festivals and Cultural Council, my contact for the Balloon Festival. She was as surprised as I was with the announcement by the Louisiana Ballooning Foundation that the Championship was canceled for 2012. She advised that they had discussed a change in date due to information provided by OSHEP regarding weather stability, but she was caught off guard by the cancellation announcement and the resulting confusion about the Ascension Balloon Festival. 

Bottom line is that the Ascension Balloon Festival has been moved to October 5,6 & 7 (Festival activities will be 5&6, 7th will be Balloon time trials and not involve us.) 

They are very excited about the activities that we have proposed thus far. All plans will be the same, just a different weekend. SO PLEASE< keep the ideas coming! 

That weekend is also a Commanders Call/CAC weekend so there is still a venue question with regard to these. Information on that will be shared by the Wing Staff.

May I ask that if ANY other activities such as a SAREX were to be planned for the weekend of Oct 5-7, please let's coordinate so we are not working against each other. This is a WING event and begs all member support, not just cadets. Getting CAP visible and in the news is every body's job.  

Thanks!

_______________________________

LYDIA C. PIKE, Captain, CAP
POC - CAP/Balloon Festival Participation 

225-305-7646