WHY AEROSPACE EDUCATION ?

We live in a world where every segment of society is affected by aviation and space

technology. It is an established fact that America will remain a world leader only as long as we

have a strong aerospace program. The United States has always been at the leading edge of

aerospace technology and it is the desire of our national leaders to keep us at the front. If we

maintain aerospace supremacy, it may very well mean the ultimate survival of democracy and

the American way of life.

Shortly after World War II, CAP received its Congressional charter and it is one of the few

organizations that still promotes, and understands, aerospace education. The authority for

CAP's education and training is derived from Public Law 476, of the 79 Congress,

mission

t h

2 Session, which was signed on 1 July, 1946. The law gave purpose and direction to CAP's

and

educational outreach. The challenge was "…

to provide an organization [that will] encourage

and aid American citizens in the contribution of their efforts, services and resources in the

development of aviation and in the maintenance of air supremacy…" aviation

and to provide "

education and training.

" That challenge still exists to this day!

Aerospace Education is defined as

that branch of general education concerned with

communicating knowledge, skills and attitudes about aerospace activities and the total impact

of air and space vehicles upon society.

This is a definition every cadet should memorize

because it tells us exactly why we study aerospace.

A CAP California Wing Cessna 182 faces an F-16 Fighting Falcon of the US Air Force's Thunderbird

flying squadron at the"Thunder Over the Empire Air Fest 2000" at March Air Reserve Base in

California.

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