Hi, I am 26 years old and am close to obtaining my private pilot's license. I heard the name "civil air patrol" mentioned somewhere and it caught my attention. Knowing nothing about the CAP I have been trying to find out exactly what joining CAP as a pilot could mean for me? I have no interest in joining the military, and my only desire is to fly. Does the CAP pay me to fly? Do I simply volunteer my time and fly CAP aircraft for free? Or do I pay to fly for CAP myself and enjoy donating my flight time to a worthwhile cause rather than joy riding around my hometown?
What type of commitments could I expect CAP to require as a pilot? Such as am I required to fly at least once per week, to distant locations? I guess I just need to know what being a CAP pilot is all about.
Anyone here familiar with CA (NorCal) or NM wings?
I was a cadet years ago, and went the Army route afterwards (first a gravel agitator with a gun, and then a rotorhead). I finally got smart and left the helo world for Air Guard CSAR, and am in school for MC-130P Flight Engineer presently (a week away from a checkride in Arkansas...wish me luck).
In a few months, I'll be at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, and am hoping to have some time to do some mountain proficiency flying there out of the Aero Club, but one of the CAP members out there suggested I become a Senior member and get some CAP flying in.
It's been years...back in the late 80's...since I was in CAP, so I am pretty much out of touch with how ops go. I am out of the San Francisco Bay Area when I am not off TDY like this for some school, and I am a PPL holder with much tailwheel time and many years experience with semi-remote area flying (Sierras, Northern Coast Range and Diablos)
Does anyone have any suggestions as to which Squadrons in NorCal might be best to look at, insofar as having available aircraft and an opportunity to log actual hours, instead of sitting around and just talking about flying? I recall our composite Sq. back in "the day" had a lot of senior member pilots, who never got any flying in...pretty much a 'hangar flying' Squadron with a bunch of wannabe cadet leaders that watched "Full Metal Jacket" one to many times. (that's a WHOLE other story)
I've pretty much decided to join as a Senior, as I'm quite sure I have a lot to offer the cadets with my varied military experience (from Infantry grunt to helos to Rescue Herks), but I don't know where my time would best be spent as far as trying to build hours and skills.
As far as the Albuquerque time, I'll probably be there for close to 6 months.
Any ideas from the peanut gallery?
Also looking to see if anyone in the ABQ area rents taildraggers (Champs, Cubs, Citabrias, T-craft, etc.)...any leads on that would also be appreciated.
Since each CAP unit tends to focus on different things, the best thing you can do is just start visiting units when you get out there to get a feel for what their local priorities are. Frankly, if you're only going to be in NM for 6 months, and aren't currently in CAP, your time would probably be better spent flying with the aero club. There are quite a few hoops to jump through with CAP in terms of getting trained and qualified as a mission pilot and you would be just partway through the process before going back to CA, and transferring records, etc. between Wings can be a hassle.
Wait till you get to CA and then look into it.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: RiverAux,
