12 January 2008
WEST HOUSTON AIRPORT, HOUSTON Texas -  So many fresh young faces join Civil Air Patrol and dream of one day flying a plane alone. That solo flight, at the controls, no instructor, up into the wild blue yonder. C/2d Lt Joshua Flores has met his dream and made it a reality.

A member of Thunderbird Composite Squadron since 2003, Josh has accomplished a lot this year. He started 2007 by earning the Billy Mitchell award and promoting to 2d Lt. He then graduated from Mayde Creek High School in May where he played tenor sax in the Symphonic band. Next was the Texas Wing Powered Flight Academy right after graduation. Going by the call sign Dexter, he accomplished his solo flight on a Wednesday afternoon. His parents saw the determination and love of flying in their son and, with encouragement from his instructors he continued flight lessons throughout the summer at Sabre Aviation School based at the Brazoria County Airport, south of Houston.

Josh became a Form 5 pilot September 16, 2007 during a Texas Wing Wide Area Exercise, the youngest Form 5 pilot in CAP. Col Brian Childs, chief instructor pilot at Sabre Aviation praised his student at the pinning ceremony November 13. “This young man lands as smoothly as any pilot I’ve seen. His dedication is outstanding”.

The youngest of Marco & Perla Flores three children he got his inspiration to fly from the movie ‘Top Gun’. He still dreams of being a fighter pilot. “I knew the instrument panel at the age of 10. When I went on my first O Flight I couldn’t wait to be in control of the plane. When we landed I asked “Is this it?”

Josh said CAP gave him the education and motivation necessary to reach his goal. He is qualified as a Mission Staff Assistant and GTM3. He turns 18 in December and is a freshmen at Cy Fair Community College.

L-R: Col Brian Childs, JROTC C/Capt Neesha Spates, C/2d Lt Joshua Flores, Marco & Perla Flores, Eric Hake.
 

Article and photos submitted by Denise Thompson, Capt, CAP