Pinkerton Airforce ROTC cadet soars in aviation program

By Julie Huss
Derry News Staff Writer

Brian Gendreau is hoping his life's ambition leads to lofty success.

Pinkerton Academy Junior ROTC cadet Brian Gendreau recently completed a flying program as a member of the Daedalian-sponsored Cadet Flight Indoctrination Program at Daniel Webster College. He was one of only two cadets in New Hampshire to be selected for the program.

The Pinkerton Academy junior and Air Force Junior ROTC cadet recently completed a solo flight as part of the Daedalian-sponsored Cadet Flight Indoctrination Program at Daniel Webster College in Nashua. The college has an extensive aviation program as well as offering the flight program.

Gendreau of Hampstead was one of only two Granite State students selected for the program.

According to Gendreau, it was ROTC Col. Howie Steadman at Pinkerton Academy who encouraged him to apply to the program.

"He asked me if I'd be interested," Gendreau said, "and me and another cadet from Alvirne were selected."

This was right up the young cadet's alley, as Gendreau hopes to pursue a career in the Air Force as a pilot after graduation from Pinkerton.

As part of the program, Gendreau traveled to Nashua for several weeks last summer to learn about flying in preparation for a future in military aviation.

He has been involved in ROTC at Pinkerton for three years. He is already looking into the Air Force Academy for his future flight plan.

"I've flown in many planes," Gendreau said, adding he wasn't nervous about his solo flight in the Cessna 172 R Skyhawk until the flight ended and he was on the ground.

"The first week I flew it was pretty nerve-wracking," he said, "but you start to become more comfortable and you get used to it."

The Cadet Flight Indoctrination Program is a concentrated curriculum to encourage selected ROTC cadets to pursue a career as a military aviator.

The program consists of closely supervised individual and group study activities in preparation for airborne instructional sorties, or aircraft missions, leading to a successful solo flight in a general aviation aircraft.

Gendreau will continue to look forward to his flight career after he leaves Pinkerton.

"That's my goal," he said. "I just want to fly."