It was a big day for the Civil Air Patrol cadet squadron in Indianapolis.
On May 24, Cadet Lt. Col. Ethan Preyss became graduate No. 389 of CAP’s Cadet Wings program. He was the first participant to earn his private pilot certificate under the tutelage of two other Cadet Wings grads — Capts. Jennifer Torres and Ian J. Gonzalez-Munoz, CAP instructor pilots.
All three are members of the Indiana Wing’s Weir Cook Cadet Squadron.
“Becoming a CAP pilot feels incredible, like a dream I’ve finally stepped into,” Preyss said. “Every morning, I wake up and remind myself that this is real. It took dedication, long hours of training, and personal sacrifice, but the journey was absolutely worth it.
“I feel honored, thankful, and humbled for this opportunity.”
Preyss, 17, was especially grateful to Torres and Gonzalez-Munoz for their leadership and guidance through the process. “Their professionalism and resourcefulness were key to my success, and I truly couldn’t imagine completing this journey without them,” he said.
A Program MilestoneBy virtue of their training in a CAP aircraft at Indianapolis Regional Airport that eventually led to Preyss’ qualifying check ride from South Greenwood Airport, the three members now represent a second generation in the Cadet Wings program.
Since 2019, the U.S. Air Force has provided initial funding for the program to increase the nation’s pilot population. More recently, donations by the James C. Ray Foundation have added extra training slots that include a CAP mentor, or navigator, for the aspiring pilot.
Preyss was a Ray Foundation-funded graduate. His father, Capt. Michael Preyss, served as his navigator.
“This achievement reflects the very heart of Civil Air Patrol’s core value of volunteer service — using one’s talents not only for personal growth but to mentor others,” said Kathrine Schmidt, CAP’s senior program manager for cadet aviation, who oversees Cadet Wings as well as the organization’s other youth initiatives involving flight.
“By stepping into the role of instructors, these cadets-turned-CFIs [certificated flight instructors] are more than successful pilots; they are leaders and role models, embodying the spirit of selfless service and community impact,” Schmidt said.
“Capt. Torres and Capt. Gonzalez-Munoz’s journey serves as a powerful example of what it means to invest in the future, inspire others, and pay forward the opportunities they once received through CAP.”
Giving BackTorres, who became a CAP pilot in 2021, served as Preyss’ primary instructor.
Gonzalaz-Munoz was Preyss’ secondary instructor, starting alongside Torres in the training but having to turn it over to her about halfway through after being hired by a regional airline, Republic Airways.
Gonzalez-Munoz received his private pilot certificate in August 2019, becoming Cadet Wings graduate No. 27 as a Puerto Rico Wing cadet. He qualified as a CFI in the Indiana Wing in 2023.
He said Preyss’ accomplishment brought back memories from his eight years as a CAP cadet. when multiple adult members assisted him in earning his pilot certificate at age 19.
“I remembered and felt so grateful for two great CAP CFIs, Larry and Janice Welsh, who provided me with the opportunity to come to their house and trained me to become a successful airline pilot,” he said.
Preyss said Gonzalez-Munoz and Torres were instrumental in helping him reach his goal. “Their guidance, patience, and availability made a huge difference,” he said. “Both brought a deep understanding of the Cadet Wings program, and I believe their own experiences with it gave them a unique perspective on how best to support me.
“They understood the timeline, expectations, and challenges and consistently helped me stay on track.”
Torres said, “I will never be able to give back all that Civil Air Patrol has done for me, but helping cadets like Cadet Lt. Col. Preyss feels like a step in the right direction.
“As a cadet, many CAP adult members helped me achieve my goals, now it has been my turn to take on that role and help the future generations.”
Torres was the 70th Cadet Wings graduate, achieving her pilot certificate in February 2021. Like Gonzalez-Munoz, at the time she was a member of the Puerto Rico Wing’s Aguadilla Cadet Squadron.
“At that time, the program was beginning to take shape,” she said. “It is now this well-structured program for cadets that want to complete their private pilot certificate.
“Although it has been almost five years since I graduated, I believe that going through the program myself gave me some common ground to guide Cadet Preyss through this process.”
All in One PlaceShe added that being in the same squadron with the cadet provided an advantage as well.
“There are different routes with Cadet Wings to complete the flight training: a local flight school, CAP In-residence flight academy, or a CAP instructor in a CAP aircraft,” Torres said. “The last one is limited to aircraft and CAP instructor availability.
“Since Cadet Preyss and I are both members of the same squadron and live near the same area, this last one was an option not most cadets have.”
Though a relatively new instructor pilot, having earned her certificate in May, Torres said Preyss wasn’t her first student.
“I am a full-time instructor now, so I had some prior experience,” she said. “I am building my hours to qualify for Airline Transport Pilot minimums to move on to fly with one of the airlines.”
Taking NoticePreyss’ father commands the Weir Cook squadron, which numbers about a dozen adult members.
Being a part of the same squadron was special, generating many proud moments throughout the training, Capt. Preyss said.
“I could see Capt. Torres and Capt. Gonzalez-Munoz sitting with Ethan, working through a lesson just outside our squadron meetings, and so could our other cadets,” he said. “I had many opportunities to mention Cadet Wings in meetings, and our cadets would always perk up when Ethan would wear his flight suit to a squadron meeting having just completed a flight lesson.”
Even though he was his son’s navigator, Capt. Preyss said, “I’m pretty confident I wasn’t really needed with Capts. Torres and Gonzalez-Munoz handling the training.”
He added, “I can’t say enough positive things about them. Both are fantastic instructors, each with a teaching spirit that connected with Ethan. I had many conversations with them both and we all created a group chat for quick communications.”
The instructors’ proactive approach to the training, despite his questions and the challenges his son faced throughout the process, impressed Capt. Preyss.
“A quick text to the group chat would be met with a quick, ‘I’ll make a call’ by an instructor and, rest assured, whatever was in the way got resolved,” he recalled.
What’s Next?Now that the younger Preyss is one of CAP’s newest pilots, what does he plan to do next?
“In the near term, I plan to stay sharp by maintaining my proficiency, logging more flight hours, and continuing to build experience as a CAP Form 5 pilot,” he said.
“Looking ahead, I aim to pursue advanced aviation training and studies with the ultimate goal of commissioning through the Air Force or Naval Academy to become a fighter pilot. While I won’t be doing any barrel rolls in a CAP aircraft, this is an exciting and important first step toward that dream.”
The significance of Torres and Gonzalez’s full-circle experience with Preyss wasn’t lost on Schmidt.
“I am grateful to be a part of something so special,” she said. “The Cadet Wings program is a short six months, but this is a testament to the community we have built that our graduates always have a place here in Cadet Wings and CAP, for years to come. We will always be rooting for them.”
The Cadet Wings application season for 2025-2026 opens July 1 and closes Sept. 1. All eligible cadets are urged to sign up for the program as soon as possible as decisions will be made on slots available as early as mid-August. To find out more about the program before the application season opens, Cadet Wings is planning an Application Webinar June 29 at 7 p.m. Central Time. Here is the link to register.
