36112,
28
September
2022
|
14:23 PM
America/Chicago

'Fun while Learning All Things Aviation': New Hampshire Squadron Leader's Vision for Cadets

NHwingNHmonadSecond Lt. Brian Ruede has hit the ground running – or maybe the word should be “flying,” at least as experienced via simulator – since taking command of the New Hampshire Wing’s Monadnock Composite Squadron in late August. 

“We have been ramping up our aerospace program … and our cadets  really enjoy learning about all things aviation,” said Ruede, also the squadron’s new aerospace education officer.

He and two other senior members rent and receive both VFR and IFR instruction at Keene’s Dillant Hopkins Airport, Keene, where the squadron is based. One result is that “we have a great relationship with our FBO, Monadnock Aviation,” which permits the squadron to use its Red Bird flight simulator about once a quarter at no charge, he said.

“The cadets have really enjoyed using this very realistic simulator. We plan to use it at our upcoming open house for new cadets, parents and the general public in early October,” Ruede said.

And as an X-Plane flight simulator software owner, he added, “I set this up, and we plan to use it monthly and add additional monitors to make it easier to see the whole environment and different views.”

Also, “we just added and started to use the new STEM Kit Prepar3D software,” Ruede said, and “we plan to add the Microsoft Simulator program on another computer.”

“Each of the programs is very different, and there definitely are pros and cons to each of them,”  he said.

Complementing the simulators, Lt. Col. Peter Hughes, squadron operations officer and assistant wing cadet activities officer, “has developed a good rocketry and drone program that we will be building on,” Ruede said.

“We plan to introduce remote-controlled airplanes, and I have a local RC club willing to instruct.”   

“Other recent programs include a presentation by a local meteorologist; use of a model airport runway for instruction, taxi, departures and arrivals; and how to communicate at towered and nontowered airports,” he said.

“We are proud of the program that we are building to keep our cadets involved, engaged, and having fun while learning all things aviation.”