Squadron Cadet 1stLt Connor Davis Earns Private Pilot Wings
This past summer, C/1stLt Connor Davis earned his private pilot certificate thanks in part to Civil Air Patrol. His story is quite an interesting read on how he achieved this significant goal
My path to achieving my PPL through CAP was pretty unique. In high school (early 2016), I started working on my PPL under Lt Col. Duc's mentorship, and got about 75% done before having to report to United States Merchant Marine Academy in the summer of 2017. Over each break (fall, Christmas, spring, etc.), when I returned home to Texas, I would work as much as possible with Lt Col Duc to try to maintain currency and slowly progress toward finally finishing.
As a midshipman at the USMMA, I was required to complete a year at sea as part of my graduation requirements, most of which was completed from March-November 2019. During sea year, a 2-6 week, land based "internship" must be completed. I worked with Lt. Mauricio, Lt Col. Duc, and Lt Col. Ferguson to allow me to use this opportunity to finish all of the requirements for my PPL during the summer of 2019. The internship ended up being about three weeks long, starting in early July and ending on August 1 after the completion of my checkride. During this, I was flying as much as possible with Lt. Col Duc, Lt. Mauricio, and Lt Col. Garland to resharpen my skills after being at sea for many months, and finish all remaining requirements of my flight training, as well as certify me as a Mission Scanner during the process.
I flew almost 19 hours in CAP aircraft during this three week internship period in preparation for my checkride, sharpening my skills; and have about 47 hours in CAP aircraft overall, with many more in aircraft that I only had the opportunity to fly through the generosity of Lt Col. Duc and Lt Col. Ferguson.
I credit the overwhelming generosity of Lt Col. Duc, as well as the rest of the TX-435 senior members with allowing me to have the opportunity to achieve my PPL. Without their support and the affordability of CAP flight training, there is no way I could have afforded to reach this milestone in my career as an aviator.
Today, because of all of my flight hours with CAP, I am at the cusp of submitting a very competitive application to the USAF in hopes of becoming a pilot; and I believe that I could not have achieved the position I am in today without all of the outstanding mentor-ship I received as a CAP cadet.
Congratulations C/1STLt Davis!
