INTERNAL - WITHIN A SQUADRON AND WING - Cadet AE Program

Aerospace Education is a component of the program for cadet members of CAP. Unit AEOs work with the Squadron Commander, the Deputy Commander for Cadets, and the Activities Officer to ensure implementation of the program in the unit. An Aerospace Current Events discussion is conducted as a part of weekly squadron meetings.

AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS

Cadets must complete Aerospace Education requirements in order to be promoted in the cadet program. Basic cadets receive AEROSPACE DIMENSIONS, a set of six learning modules. These books are interactive, hands-on, group-based AE activities that provide basic AE knowledge. Topics covered in the six modules include:

• Introduction To Aerospace
• Aircraft Systems, Airports, and Airways
• Air Environment
• Rockets
• Space Environment
• Spacecraft
  

  These learning modules are used in Phases I and II of the cadet program.

AEROSPACE: THE JOURNEY OF FLIGHT

A comprehensive aerospace textbook developed for cadets in Phases III and Phases IV. (It is also used by senior members for the AEPSM.) The following notes a brief overview of this textbook, AEROSPACE: THE JOURNEY OF FLIGHT:

• History of Airpower
• Principles of Flight and Navigation
• The Aerospace Community
• Air Environment
• Rockets
• Space
  

  A Teacher’s Guide for this book provides National Instructional Standards, lesson plans and objectives, and sample tests.
  

AEROSPACE EDUCATION EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM (AEX)

Squadrons may participate in the Aerospace Education Excellence Award Program. This program must be completed during the months of January through June. One AE activity must be completed each month. All activities must be selected from the AEX Activity Book that will be mailed to the squadron after National Headquarters/LMA
receives the squadron agreement. Unit AEX sign up brochures are mailed to each squadron in October and November. The agreement form (http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5176) must be completed and signed by the Unit Commander and the Unit AEO. All activities must be reported monthly using the AEX AWARD reporting form either by mail or electronically (aex@cap.gov).

In addition to completing one AE activity a month, one AEROSPACE EDUCATION (AE) DAY of no less than two hours duration must be completed at some time during the six-month period. This could include such activities as airport tours, aviation/space museum visits, orientation flights, etc. Each member who participates will receive a certificate and the unit will receive the AEX Award plaque for display.

ROCKETRY PROGRAM

The new Rocket Program will be announced in 2004. It will have three stages: a written phase, a hands-on phase and an official witness log. More information and guidance will be sent soon.