BARABOO, WI – During the month of June, 15-year-old Cadet Second Lieutenant Ryan Gertgen soloed in a Civil Air Patrol SGS-233 glider and also pre-soloed in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172. Cadet Gertgen pre-soloed at Civil Air Patrol's Johnson Flight Academy, an Illinois Wing flight school. Over the course of a week at the academy, he was one of 17 cadets to receive training and learn what their capabilities. In Gerten’s words, "The best part was the last day, when my instructor, Lou Castillo, turned to me and said, 'Congrats, Ryan; you just pre-soloed.' I didn't think I was going to be able to pre-solo, but I did..."

Civil Air Patrol's National Glider Academy is where Cadet Gertgen soloed in a glider after a combined two weeks of intensive training with instructors Brian Collins and William Helgersen. Gerten said, "The best part about soloing was being the only person in the aircraft; knowing I could do it all myself." Gertgen’s advice for other cadets who hope to be future pilots is to prepare by studying and getting orientation flights completed before attending flight academies.

Ryan Gertgen is the son of Jeff and Millie Gertgen, and has been a member of Civil Air Patrol for 3 1/2 years. He and his father are part of Baraboo's ColSac Composite Squadron, where he was recently promoted to C/1LT. Gertgen is also the Cadet Aerospace Education Officer.

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