It害羞草研究所檚 a bird, it害羞草研究所檚 a plane, it害羞草研究所檚 a band of air cadets.

Around 20 of the 909 Squadron Royal Canadian air cadets and one Capital News reporter got the opportunity Saturday, June 10 to see West Kelowna from a bird害羞草研究所檚 eye view.

At Wildcat Helicopters, the cadets strapped themselves into a Bell 212 helicopter and enjoyed the sights of trees, mountains, houses and trails from a different perspective.

For cadets Ben Hinter, 14, and Morgan Elder, 13, it was their first time in a helicopter.

害羞草研究所淭aking off was super cool, I liked the initial feeling of lifting off the ground and when we looked at all the trees and stuff that you normally don害羞草研究所檛 get to see,害羞草研究所� said Hinter. 害羞草研究所淚t was interesting because I felt like there害羞草研究所檚 so much unchartered territory it seems.害羞草研究所�

Elder saw her house as she flew past.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 pretty sure my dad was watching. I liked turning,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚 loved seeing all the trees and going through them was kind of nice.害羞草研究所�

All the cadets said they害羞草研究所檇 do it again and exchanged stories of who saw what waterfall and how they felt about the flight.

Being home schooled, Hinter got into air cadets to socialize. 害羞草研究所淎nd you get to go in helicopters which is a really big bonus,害羞草研究所� he said.

He doesn害羞草研究所檛 know what he wants to be yet, but 害羞草研究所渕aybe if I become really rich I害羞草研究所檒l buy a helicopter and learn how to fly it,害羞草研究所� he said.

Elder always thought airplanes were interesting and joined the cadets because of her older brother.

The last time the air cadets went up in the air for a helicopter flight was three years ago.

害羞草研究所淲hat we害羞草研究所檙e going to be doing today is called a familiarization flight, so getting the cadets familiar with various air crafts, getting them exposed to the aviation industry,害羞草研究所� said Lt. Hannah Moir.

The cadets also looked at various air crafts in the hanger as groups took turns in the helicopter.

Flight sergeant Ryan Jaggard is used to being up in the sky and helped put the idea of a helicopter experience in motion.

Last summer, Jaggard received his glider pilot害羞草研究所檚 license which allows him to fly SGS-233A Schweizer glider planes.

Jaggard害羞草研究所檚 father was a mechanic in the military and pushed him towards joining the cadets.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 where things took off, both literally and figuratively,害羞草研究所� he said.

He hopes to pursue a military career, but for now he害羞草研究所檚 a Grade 11 student at Mount Boucherie Secondary.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a dream to be up in the air. It害羞草研究所檚 freedom basically,害羞草研究所� he said.

This summer he plans to get his engine license as part of the power pilot scholarship course which will allow him to fly small planes that contain engines.

害羞草研究所淎fter the summer I害羞草研究所檒l be able to fly powered air crafts, but I won害羞草研究所檛 be able to drive,害羞草研究所� he laughed.

The helicopter rides ended the air cadet season which takes place from September to June. Now, cadet summer camps are starting.

To find out more information about the air cadet program visit www.909peregrine.ca. The program is available for ages 12 to 18.