Cadet Orientation Flight 99 seat question

[Crash]

Hello All.

One more Cadet Orientation Flight question: Can a cadet, under the age of 18, who has already flown his 5 Powered O'Flights still ride as a 99 seat passenger on an Orientation Flight? (other than a Syllabus 8 ride of course)

[Eclipse]

Yes, in fact they are encouraged, and help the unit of merit award numbers.

[Crash]

Can you expound on that statement for me a bit?

How is this encouraged?
Where is this found.
I did discover that "unlimited 99 rides" is mentioned, but not in any regs that I can currently find.

Good information here.

[FW]

from CAPP 52-7:

Maximizing the use of the aircraft. It is the cadet seated in the front seat who is the primary
"student" during an orientation flight. However, in powered aircraft, a second or third cadet
should fly in the back seat, as weight and balance allows. Cadets may have as many back seat
flights as possible. Back seat flights are observation flights only and are not reimbursable. You
must have a cadet in the front seat if back seat rides are flown.

[capmaj]

And from the Flight Syllabus:

"National headquarters is also tracking all of the back seat rides, mainly as
one of the criteria for the annual outstanding Squadron of Merit and
Squadron of Distinction awards. Cadets are encouraged to fly in the back
seat of powered aircraft as weight and balance allows. For cadets flying
back seat, simply enter the code "99" in the Syllabus Number field. Cadets
do not lose any of their syllabus flights by flying in the back seat. Cadets
can fly as many back seat rides as possible. The back seat rides are
observation flights only and are not reimbursable. You must have a cadet
in the front seat if back seat rides are flown."

[Eclipse]

Yes to the above and 99 ride percentages factor into the consideration for squadron of merit.  The higher the percentage, the better the
scores, because it stands to reason that cadets flying beyond their 5 syllabus rides are more engaged in aviation activities.

99's are a win for everyone involved.