(WAND) - A group of Civil Air Patrol cadets took to the skies for the next step in earning their wings.
Cadets came from states including Washington and New Jersey and practiced for the chance to fly solo.
One student said it began with learning the basics of controlling the planes and progressed to take off, circling and landing.
He shared that his passion for flight helped make him who he is today.
"I love wanting it up, taking off from the runway is probably one of the coolest experiences, one of my favorite things that I get to do. So it's just shaped me that way," said James Callaway.
Each cadet has a personal goal, whether it be completing 10 flight hours or flying solo.
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