airlnwnaB

Does anyone know much about the civil air patrol? I'm a CFI but I'm also active duty in the army right now so I don't think I'll be able to get a job teaching especially these day's. l'm looking for something to keep me up in the air. I've heard about the civil air patrol but don't know if they will let you start flying for them as soon as you join? If anybody knows anything let me know!

AlmostThere

this video has info...but i don't think it'll answer your specific questions that pertain to your situation

.: The Civil Air Patrol :.

mshunter

You might as well go rent at an FBO. They are both pay to play.

AlmostThere

you have to pay to be in cap? wow i didnt know that, i just figured you didn't get paid

airlnwnaB

thanks for the link to the video that was helpful. I did have a friend back in the day that joined them but left after a few months. He almost made it sound like you had to do a lot of other ground work before they would let you fly. I think it's one of those things that if i have to volunteer 50 hrs of ground time for 2 hours of flight time it's probably not worth it.
Also I'm almost positive you don't have to pay.

AlmostThere

well, apparently you pay for your uniform. and since (i think i heard them say) there's 60,000 members, many which are old timer pilots who have been there a while, it probably takes a long time to work up the ranks to pilot

Ottopilot

You pay a yearly fee, which varies from wing (state) to wing. Around $55/year. If you want to be a CAP pilot, then you take the required prerequisite courses online (easy). You also need a CAP checkout in the aircraft (like a BFR), but you pay for it at first. Once your a "mission pilot", they pay for one checkride per year. The cost of the CAP aircraft are about 1/2 the FBO rental rates (varies by state). A C182T Nav III (G1000) is about $95/hr. A simple C172 is $65.00.

If you just want to go up and fly, you pay for the aircraft, but you can't take non-CAP members as passengers, can't take it overnight, or out of state. Every wing is different, some require the group commanders approval before you fly. I won't even get into the flight release procedures and paperwork.

There is "free" flying. Cadet orientation flights (demo flight), ROTC flights, search and rescue flights, counter drug flights, homeland security, and more. To do cadet flights you need 200TT. To become a "mission pilot" involves a lot of specialized training and flying before you can fly the missions.

If you just want to build hours, then the CAP is not for you. You won't get many hours, nor will they come quickly. If you want to work with cadets, teach aerospace, and/or serve the community through emergecy services, then the CAP is for you.

I suggest visiting a local squadron and checking everything out first hand. There are cadet only squadrons, senior member (adult) squadrons, and mixed (composite). See where the aircraft are located. Talk to pilots. Overall it is a very good organization. My kids got me into it and I got involved for them, but I did end up flying.

.: The Civil Air Patrol :.

Ottopilot

Your grade/rank has nothing to do with being a pilot. You only need the FAA's private pilot and the CAP checkride. Your FAA certificates can "promote" you ahead due to mission skills. The PPL gets you 2nd Lt, the Commercial gets you 1st Lt, and the ATP or CFI gets you Captain. There is no seniority system. The first year guy can fly the same as the 20 year guy. You do pay for your uniforms, but every penny you spend on CAP is tax deductible.

Ottopilot

Yes and no. You can start flying after you complete some simple online training requirements: ground handling, safety, CAP flight regulations (that are in addition to FARs), etc. No big deal. There is no time requirement before you fly. You just do the requirements and take the "form 5" CAP checkride and also check the orientation pilot box. Now you are a CAP pilot, but you can't fly missions yet. That requires more ground and flight training. You can still fly the plane. If they approve you to fly cadets, then that is paid for by the USAF (the plane is paid for, not you).

It can take time due to the fact that the instructors and check pilots are volunteers and you have to wait for their time.

Ottopilot

There is no ground "requirement", but they will check you out to see if you are going to serve CAP or yourself. They weed those out that are just here to fly cheaper aircraft. To take a CAP checkride, I need approval from the wing level. They do a little background on me through the group and squadron commander, before they approve me to fly.