EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- "I figured this was the best way to continue my service to the people of this nation by teaching the next generation of professional aviators."
Brian McGlone smiles as he thinks back on his 26 years in the Army. He flew Blackhaws and Chinooks, and has the full range of assignments under his belt: air assault, medical evacuation, and time with the 160th Night Stalkers -- the Army's elite, nocturnal military aviation unit.
After retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 5 Master Aviator, he knew he still had more to give.
That came to fruition when he was named the Aviation Instructor at Air Academy High School in District 20. It's a program he's built from the ground up. The track currently has 97 students, that takes them through aviation basics, instrumentation, simulated flights, and real flights in a glider.
"I hope they realize that anyone can do it," says McGlone.
The D20 program partners with the Soaring Eagles Foundation through the Falcon Aerolab. All of the glider instructors have prior military aviation experience; all wish to pass along their avocation to the next generation.
On this fall day at the Meadow Lake Airport, curiosity leads the experience for the four students present. All are juniors, having taken McGlone's classes leading up to this point.
They are shown the ailerons, instrumentation, and basic flight checklists before belting in, and being tethered to the tow plane.
Once at speed, the glider then lifts gently off the ground in tandem with the tow plane. The student and pilot instructor are airborne. Not long after, the glider is untethered and powered by lift.
Students are also given the opportunity to stall out the plane -- on purpose -- to practice recovery under pressure.
After a 20 minute flight, the descent is made, followed by a rugged landing.
The experience proves successful:
"The landings are scary. It seems like you're coming in hot!" Westly McNaughton, a Junior at Air Academy, said. "I'm hooked! I would go up again, but I have to wait 'til next semester."
Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.
The post THE MILITARY FAMILY: Veterans aim to inspire new crop of aviation enthusiasts appeared first on KRDO.
