Cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Mitchell Mansfield from Comox works on a tow plane at Comox Cadet Flying Training Centre. Photo by Captain A. Sargent

Cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Mitchell Mansfield from Comox, is spending his summer working alongside specialized aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) at Comox Cadet Flying Training Centre (CFTC).

He is the only cadet in this position at Comox CFTC and is working on the tow planes and gliders used in the flight training programs this summer.

“This is really fun!” said Mitchell. “I love working on the aircraft and working with the crew here. The things they have taught me are really cool and they have integrated me into the AME lifestyle… and working here in the hangar is so special. Not many people get to do that.”

Two years ago, Mansfield attended a course on aircraft maintenance at Canadore College in North Bay, Ont., through the cadet program. It was there that he became hooked on maintaining aircraft.

Mansfield has been a cadet at 386 Komox Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron for five years after joining when a friend told him about all the cool things he could do.

“Air cadets offers amazing opportunities. No matter who you are you will find your niche in cadets and have a great time,” said Mansfield.

In September he will be taking up a place in engineering at the University of Victoria and hopes to move into a career in biomedical engineering.

There are many summer training courses attended by approximately 20,000 sea, army, and air Cadets across Canada this summer.

The cadet program is for youth 12-18 years of age. The aim of the cadet program is to instil in youth the attributes of leadership, citizenship, physical fitness and an interest in the air, land and sea activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.