Take Flight - Travis Air Force Base

A huge thank you to John Vito for setting up an absolutely wonderful Saturday.   From the planning through the entire days events it was quite an experience that the cubs nor parents will forget.  While waiting for everyone to arrive at the Travis Air Force Base visitors center, Major John Vito taught the cubs to stand at attention and ran them through a uniform inspection, the boys all passed though a couple were reminded to hide the remains of their breakfast from their uniforms and faces.  We were then taken to the C5 simulator building, where each of the cubs and their parents had the incredible opportunity to sit in the pilots seat and fly the C5.  John sat in the co-pilots seat and guided each person through the controls and what they needed to do to successfully take off and land.
One pilot successfully landed even when one of the 4 engines was lost, another pilot did an instrument landing until they broke through cloud cover at 200 feet.   The simulator was absolutely incredible.  And for the individuals in the simulator waiting their turn to pilot, John arranged for a flight engineer to be on board showing what they do and explaining all of the controls on his console as well as providing great facts about the plane and its operation and maintenance.   The Cubs not on the simulator (we rotated) were busy making paper airplanes and flying them outside at the picnic area where Rob Epperson provided snacks and waters - Thank you Rob.  

Following our simulator experience, we all went over to Public Affairs where the cubs learned how public affairs communicates with large numbers of individuals.  The cubs learned that Newspapers, Signs, Internet, Social Media, Radio and Television are all used on the base to get information out.  The two individuals who gave the presentation were extremely friendly and helpful.  Again we could not have asked for a better experience.   They even had some candy, fruit, and a booklet with postcards of different Air Force aircraft for the cubs to take with them.

And if that was enough, we walked across the yard and spent some time at the Air Force museum.  Where the cubs burned some energy and learned even more.  I don't think there would be a better way to celebrate the theme of "Take Flight".

I am sure the Cubs had a wonderful time that they will remember for a good long while, and I know I thoroughly enjoyed my time and have been talking about the simulator non stop since my visit - it was just (air)plane fun.

Don't forget tomorrow night (3/16/10) the pack meeting is at 6:00 pm at Brendan Theater in Vacaville - See you there.

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Fred Zilz

Tiger Den 12