Celebrating the Cadets’ Achievements at Beauvechain
On October 16, 2024, the Beauvechain airfield hosted a remarkable event—the Wings Parade of the Belgian Air Cadets’ 2024 cohort. This annual ceremony celebrates the achievements of 50 young cadets selected from over 300 applicants, each of whom aspires to join Belgium’s Air Cadets. Through rigorous training, these cadets earned their wings and numerous awards in recognition of their dedication and skill.
AOPA Luxembourg: Proudly Represented
The Luxembourg delegation, led by AOPA Luxembourg President Peter Sodermans, demonstrated a strong presence at the Wings Parade. Joining him were Kany Touré, President of the Young Pilots, who previously played a key role in welcoming Luxembourg’s first International Air Cadet delegation, and Marc Rasquin, a driving force behind DIMAS. Additionally, board member Christophe Englebert (also active in DIMAS) attended, along with Czech Ambassador Vladimir Bärtl, an avid private pilot and member of our Luxembourg community. The delegation received a warm welcome from Lt. Colonel Olivier Vaneeckhoudt and his team, highlighting the event’s spirit of camaraderie and international collaboration.
Also representing Luxembourg, Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Robinet, Chief of the Transformation Department and National Representative to the Belgian Defense, was in attendance.
Recognizing AOPA Luxembourg’s Sponsorship
This year, AOPA Luxembourg was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing our sponsorship of the first international delegation of Air Cadets to Belgium and Luxembourg this summer. Our President, Peter Sodermans, accepted the certificate from the hands of Lt-General Aviator Guido Vanhecke, symbolizing our organization’s dedication to promoting aviation opportunities for young people.
What is the Wings Parade?
The Wings Parade marks a cadet’s transition to a qualified aviator within the Air Cadets. This year’s ceremony was presided over by Lt. General Aviator Guido Vanhecke, President of the Royal Belgian Air Cadets (RBAC), and Major General Aviator Thierry Dupont, Chief of the Air Component. In addition to wings, awards were given to outstanding cadets and cadre members, closing with a recruitment film highlighting opportunities within the Belgian Air Force.
It is moment of great proud for the youngsters, some 16 years old, a moment they never forget in their lives.
Overcoming Weather Challenges
Although we received special permission to land at Beauvechain with our planes, poor weather conditions prevented both Marc Rasquin and Peter Sodermans from flying with their planes to Beauvechain. Their determination to attend meant they traveled by car to support the event and the cadets.
Luxembourg Air Cadets: A New Chapter in Aviation
AOPA Luxembourg is working diligently to establish a Luxembourg Air Cadets section within the robust framework of the Belgian Air Cadets. This initiative aims to provide young Luxembourgers with top-quality training and integration into a well-established, structured aviation program. Currently, the Belgian Air Cadets program is undergoing a major restructuring, aligning with the Belgian Armed Forces to ensure increased stability and enhanced resources. This restructuring is expected to complete by early Q1 2025, setting the stage for a stronger partnership with Luxembourg.
Once finalized, the agreement between the Belgian and Luxembourg Armed Forces, alongside AOPA Luxembourg, will allow Luxembourg’s first cohort of five young cadets to begin their training as glider pilots in 2026. Embedding Luxembourg Air Cadets within the Belgian program offers a secure financial base and builds on Belgium’s decades-long expertise in cadet training. This collaborative approach will foster cross-border cooperation, giving young Luxembourgers the opportunity to thrive within the trusted and dynamic environment of the Belgian Air Cadets, equipped with the skills to soar in aviation.
Looking Forward
The 2024 Wings Parade celebrated the Belgian Air Cadets’ hard work, and the future looks promising as they integrate into the Belgian Armed Forces. AOPA Luxembourg is honored to be part of this journey, and we look forward to supporting both Belgian and Luxembourg cadets as they soar to new heights in their aviation careers.