Ever since Matthew Granson was a youngster he has been fascinated with aviation and dreamed of being a pilot.
In August his dream turned into a reality when the 19-year-old Rimbey native received his pilot’s wings from Major Kevin Tipper from CFB Moose Jaw at Skywings Aviation in Penhold.
It was a proud moment for Granson and his family.
This pride intensified when the young pilot, wearing his brand new wings, took his parents, Len and Diane and his 13-year-old sister, Alida for a short flight.
“It’s odd when the kid you taught to drive a vehicle is now flying a plane,” reflected his dad, Len.
Granson was a member of the 65 Ponoka Royal Air Cadet Squadron for several years and during that time his interest in becoming a pilot grew stronger.
“I would have to say that nothing particularly sparked my interest (in flying) all at once but rather it grew a little bit with every flight that I took, with every fact that I learned, and every story I heard and every opportunity within the aviation community that I received,” he said.
Granson was one of 20 cadets across Canada who qualified for the seven-week power pilot program, which he successfully completed.
It was a tough and challenging course.
“The most challenging part of the course was a draw between maintaining a high academic mark in ground school and landing the airplane. My groundwork and controlling the aircraft while in the air were the things that felt most natural to me,” he said.
Upon completion of the course, Granson received his private pilot’s license.
“This license enables me to act as pilot in command of a small aircraft during the day, fly internationally and carry the amount of people that will fit in my airplane.”
Granson is now enrolled in the bachelor of aviation technology program in Toronto at the Seneca College.
Upon graduation he plans to join the military to fly transport aircraft for Canada.
Granson credits the air cadet program for helping him set and achieve his personal goals.
“The air cadets helped me achieve my goal by teaching me and helping mold me into the person that both them and I wanted to see. Cadets has helped me realize my full potential and has taught me how to act and think to achieve the most out of my life and also how to help others achieve the same thing.”
More information about Ponoka Air Cadets is available from Tracey.Fiedler@cadets.gc.ca the new commanding officer of the squadron in Ponoka.