Young aviator awarded scholarship

Cameron C. McCune

A young Blairsville aviator is one of five nationally to receive a Major General Lucas V. Buau flight scholarship awarded by the Daedalian Foundation.

Cameron C. McCune, a rising junior at Union County High School, will use the scholarship funds for flight training that will lead to his private pilot license, a goal he has sought since he took his first flight at the age of 6.

Despite his young age, McCune is no stranger to the Blairsville Airport. He has been training under the watchful eye of Lt. Colonel Wayne Roshaven, a Georgia Wing Group Commander, for that past year and a half.

Roshaven's personal interest in McCune's flying skills and his confidence in the youth's ability enabled the young pilot to solo an aircraft just one day after his 16th birthday on July 12, 2005.

"I would have liked to have soloed on my 16th birthday," McCune said, "but the weather was too poor to take off. I was disappointed, but still got to solo the next day. It still remains the best day of my life."

McCune is now almost prepared to take his private pilot check ride for his licenses to fly. He plans to continue on to get his instrument rating later this year. He could not have done all this without the Daedalian scholarship.

Along with the scholarship presentation, McCune was promoted to Cadet Major in the Civil Air Patrol-United States Air Force Auxiliary. McCune is the highest ranking cadet in the history of the North Georgia Composite Squadron, according to Roshaven.

The promotion came after McCune completed 14 of the 16 achievements in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. To complete each achievement, a cadet must pass a physical fitness test, an aerospace exam, and a leadership exam as well as participated in character development and weekly meetings.

McCune joined the C.A.P. in June 2003 and rose rapidly to become Cadet Squadron Commander 16 months later.

His next goal is to reach Civil Air Patrol's highest honor, the General Carl A. Spaatz award given to cadets who complete all requirements in the cadet program. A Spaatz award recipient must demonstrate excellence in leadership, character, fitness and aerospace education. On average, only two cadets in 1,000 continue to earn the award since its inception in 1964.

McCune hopes to reach this honor which will carry with it a promotion to cadet Colonel and help him reach his lifetime goal: appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and a career as a military pilot.

Lt. Colonel Roshaven presented McCune with the Buau scholarship and pinned on his Major insignia at a special ceremony attended by his family. After the award ceremony, McCune performed several touch-and-go maneuvers on the airport's newly extended runway as his relatives watched.

His parents, David and Patti McCune, grandmother Rita Gringas, sister Courtney, and several other relatives were among those sharing McCune's big moment.