In a nutshell
The plane, a Cessna 182, joins an air fleet of more than 500 single-engine planes across the U.S that are maintained by the Civil Air Patrol. The new plane will be used to further its mission in providing flyover services during state and local emergencies like flooding.
The McKinney Thunderbolt Composite Squadron, which operates as part of the Civil Air Patrol, conducts fire watch missions and damage assessment missions across Texas and Oklahoma. Check Pilot Kurtis Sampson said they are deployed to take photographs of damage from disasters like tornados and flooding.
“When we get the call they say pack your bags,” Sampson said. “You may be gone five days; you may be gone seven days.”
More details
Additionally, the Civil Air Patrol operates a cadet program for kids between 12 and 17 years old. Kids are not deployed on operational missions however the Civil Air Patrol offers orientation flights that gives them hands-on flying experience.
Flight Officer Logan Vasquez was part of the McKinney squadron’s cadet program and gained his private pilot’s license with the Civil Air Patrol. Now, he holds his commercial pilot’s license.
“That’s our ability to give each cadet five free orientation flights to see if they love flying or if they just want that experience,” Vasquez said.
So far this year, the McKinney squadron performed 43 orientation flights, Vasquez said. The squadron has 90 cadets and 135 members in total that are located within McKinney. The squadron has also flown 145 hours for flight-related missions.
The squadron offers a mentorship program for cadets to develop leadership skills and discipline through training, teamwork and community service.
“Our mission for the cadet program is to transform youth into dynamic Americans and aerospace leaders,” said Cadet Daksha Srinivasan.
Zooming out
The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit corporation that was founded in 1941, according to its website. In 1948, U.S. Congress permanently established the corporation as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
The McKinney Thunderbolt Squadron is one of more than 1,400 squadrons located across the nation. Squadrons are made up of adult and youth volunteers, according to Civil Air Patrol’s website. These squadrons respond to state and local emergencies throughout the year.
In 2024, the Civil Air Patrol participated in 395 search and rescue missions across the U.S. and reported 209 search and rescue finds, according to a congressional report.
To learn more about the McKinney Thunderbolt Squadron and Civil Air Patrol, go to https://thunderbolt.cap.gov.
