Sixteen air cadets at the Gander Flight Training (GFT) School all passed their flight test on the first attempt, a rare occurrence in the 25 plus years the school has held the program.

Eight women and eight men from all over Atlantic Canada were trained at the Flight School over a seven-week intensive training program.

It’s all part of the National Defence Power Pilot Program.

GFT was awarded a five-year contract from the Department of National Defence to train air cadets earlier this year, and each cadet receives a private pilot license when the training is complete.

President and CEO, Pat White says it’s extremely satisfying to hear people in the aviation industry talk about the excellent caliber of pilots coming out of Atlantic Canada.