Daniel T'seleie
Northern News Services

Matthew Mahoney, a flight sergeant from Iqaluit, is enroled in an Air Cadets glider program.

Comox, B.C. (Aug 01/05) - Flight Sergeant Matthew Mahoney could only speak briefly before rushing off for his air lesson at the 19 Wing Canadian Forces Base in Comox, B.C.

The Iqaluit youth has to keep up the pace, if he wants to complete the planned 50 flights in six weeks as part of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets gliding course.

"It's kind of like a summer school," Mahoney said. He is pulling 16-hour days, split between the classroom - learning flight theory - and flying the skies aboard the engine-less machine.

"This is a really good ground school," said Mahoney. "They've got really good instructors here."

"When you're in a glider, it's all about just navigating. It's like the fundamentals of flying."

Obtaining his glider pilot licence from Transport Canada after successful completion of the course will make it easier for the 18-year-old to someday get his commercial pilot's licence.

Mahoney - a four-year veteran of 795 Iqaluit Air Cadet Squadron - earned a $7,000 scholarship from the organization for the program.

It was not a free ride, though. Before leaving in early July, Mahoney had to undergo a series of tests, both physical and written, to prove he was ready for the challenge.

Despite the hectic pace of life for Mahoney, everything is calm when he is in the air.

"It's pretty peaceful, actually."