New flight simulators at the 676 Kittyhawk Air Cadet squadron in Sidney are sending teen flyers airborne without leaving a plywood box.

The six new simulators reproduce flight in a Cessna 172, using computer programs and monitors linked to a control column for the hands, and pedals for the feet. The picture on the monitor replicates an accurate takeoff from the existing runways at Victoria International Airport.

For good measure, the simulated flight even includes views of ferries at Swartz Bay.

"When you leave here and take off to go to Vancouver, you can even look down and see the ferry leaving," said flight instructor Peter Reynolds, who instructs on the simulators along with former Royal Air Force member Ray White.

And while the flight simulators don't move and shake a pilot around, such as those used by the military in training, their flight experience is still remarkably real, said Reynolds, a licensed pilot.

"We've had Air Canada pilots in these and they get a little bit of vertigo when they get in there," he said.

The flight simulators are located in their own building, called CASC (Computerized Aircraft Simulation Centre). It's adjacent to the 676 Squadron headquarters at 1979 de Havilland Way, next to Victoria International Airport.

The flight simulators were made possible by a $3,500 donation from the Victoria Airport Authority and other money raised by 676 supporters. Eventually, the centre will have another simulator set up as a flight control tower.

Even now, cadets can link up in their flight simulators to take off and fly together as a group, each one watching the others. They even offer a little fun by simulating flight in an

F-18 jet fighter, and fighter planes from the First and Second World Wars.

Reynolds and others believe it is the best facility of any centre operated by a Canadian Air Cadet squadron.

Reynolds called the flight simulators a case of "if you build it they will come." It's an effort to build up 676 Squadron beyond the existing 55 member cadets.

According to the Department of National Defence, cadet corps across Canada are working on a three-phase plan to grow the total number of cadets in the country to 70,000 by 2016. Phase I of the plan was achieved last June when cadet membership stabilized at 50,780 — an increase of about 1,100, and bringing an end to a decline.

In Victoria and area,

10 cadet corps now exist, according to the cadet corps website — three air cadet squadrons, three sea cadet corps and four corps of army cadets.

But only air cadets offer the chance to earn a glider pilot's certificate and later a pilot's certificate to fly powered aircraft. It is a scholarship that requires the winning cadets to submit transcripts of their marks from school, write an essay and submit to an interview before a panel of military officers.

Cadet Warrant Officer second class Rex Anderson, the 676 cadet squadron commander, said he already has his glider wings and is hoping to earn his pilot's wings. It's the main reason he joined the cadets in the first place. "It's been my goal ever since I could speak."

But Anderson, an

18-year-old graduate of Stelly's Secondary School, said he is no longer so attracted by the idea of a career as a commercial pilot. But he remains determined to earn his wings. "I like flying so much."

Cadet Flight Cpl. Justin Pond, 14, said the flight simulator for him is the highlight of the cadet program.

"It's awesome," said the Stelly's Grade 9 student. "It's my very favourite part of cadets."

Back in the flight simulation centre, Reynolds said senior cadets are enlisted as trainers for the younger cadets, giving both valuable experience as responsible teachers as well as flyers.

The system he has created sees the cadets plan their flights to real locations such as Nanaimo or Vancouver, map them out and log their experiences.

The logs are compiled and checked off by instructors when certain achievements have been reached, very much as if they were undergoing flight training.

There are even ground-school classes taught to the cadets, just as a real flying school would require.

Reynolds also said he has designed the simulated flight instruction in a modular form. That is, cadets can complete one stage in their own time. It works better for busy teens than setting class times which they might miss.

"It's tougher for us to run the program, but it keeps the cadets coming back," Reynolds said.

Many of the new cadets now show up with many hours' experience on modern video games, he said. But all their control practice is in their thumbs and hands. It becomes a huge adjustment to start using pedals, too.

Young cadets, too, can be reluctant to adopt the discipline necessary to fill out flight plans, file reports and log their efforts. But that usually changes.

"They are a little reluctant about it and you can see them thinking, 'I don't know if I want to do this,' " Reynolds said.

"But once they see the value of it, they became very interested, very motivated."

Bruce Ralphs, a civilian pilot who volunteers with the 676 Squadron, said that, a short while ago, he had cadets up in a real Cessna 172 for a short flight.

While up there, Ralphs said he allowed one cadet to briefly handle the controls in the seat next to him. He was stunned at the level of near-perfect co-ordination the cadet showed.

"Usually, people don't even touch the pedals," he said.

"He showed incredible co-ordination that I think must completely be the result of the CASC program."

For more information about cadets, visit www.cadets.ca/regions/pac/air-aviation or go to cadets.ca and follow the links.

rwatts@timescolonist.com