Adding Ratings With CAP
 

I'm looking for some information from anyone who has worked their way through the CAP pilot program. I'm a private pilot and I'm looking to add some ratings whether it be through CAP or through other means. Before anyone gets too excited to flame, I've done some homework. I'm actually already a CAP member. I contacted a local squadron and their suggestion was to just come and sit in on a couple meetings, which is exactly what I did.

As other threads have mentioned it is kind of like a "man scout club." They discuss the news from the higher ups, the budget, calendar and usually have some kind of presentation or educational video to watch. I honestly haven't felt very welcomed, as none of the members have really talked much with me about the program or how to get started. There really doesn't seem to be much actual flying happening within the squadron either. I don't want to seem like one of those guys who think "Ooh, cheap ratings. Sign me up!" I will remain a CAP member despite where I do my training.

I'm basically trying to figure out the best road to gaining my ratings. I spoke with a local flight club that seem to have a very good community and have some really nice airplanes they are training out of. I have a strange weekly schedule, but it works out perfect for flight training. I could work through my IR as quickly as I want with them, but to the tune of about $6,500. I know CAP isn't a flight school and won't be quite as gung ho about training. Like I said there doesn't seem to be much flying going on, and as a new member there will probably be zero that I can actually log.

With the club I could do some safety pilot flying, and the guys there are all big time aviation enthusiasts so there's no problem finding a pal to split some XC time with. I'm paying for ratings one at a time so really time between ratings is no factor. They do some charter flights for their Commercial students and only hire CFIs from within. They have also expressed interest in swapping some of my time as an A&P for training... no details yet. It basically comes down to overall cost.

Does anyone know what kind of savings can be had while training with CAP? Again, I don't want to sound like some cheapskate, I really am interested in CAP, but deciding to train through them has seemed a little sketchy so far. I can be patient if the savings are good, not to mention they train out of a G1000 182T :)

Thanks.

it's a whole lot of bureaucracy, but the squadron near me has a 182 that rents for I believe 30 or 40 dry G1000

At 12 GPG it's not a great trainer. Are the CAP CFIs volunteering their time, aka free instruction?

CAP Instructors aren't allowed to charge for their time while teaching in CAP aircraft, however a meal/beer from time to time is certainly appreciated (at least by me)...

yep! free CFI and cheap 182


But as far as trainer goes, they do have a 172 as well without too much avionics and that goes for I think the same rate dry (25 or 30) which is a steal

That's true, I think our squadron has a 172 also now that I think about it. So for an IR I would basically pay for a minimum of 40 hours in the airplane. At around $70/hr wet I'm in the range of about $3,000. That's cutting costs in half. Looks like I need to be patient and see it through.

I'm a pilot with CAP in Arizona, and from my personal experience, the personality and 'vibe' can very greatly from squadron to squadron. Some squadrons are literally some old timers meeting at Denny's once a month and talking about airplanes. Others are much more serious and are very involved with SAR, Cadet Education, and promotion of aerospace in general. My squadron is fortunate to have many professionals in the emergency services profession, from FEMA, fire fighters, ADEM, and other agencies, including former and current military members as well. It really just depends on the squadron you join. Feel free to check out multiple squadrons if your area has more than one, so that you can find one that clicks with you. I believe we have around a dozen squadrons in the Phoenix area, so if you live in a large population center, there may be several for you to choose from.

It *can* be a lengthy process to get checked out and qualified in the airplane if you don't have someone to act as a good mentor for you and if you don't have the financial ability in the beginning needed to get checked out. If you find a good and highly active squadron, you can greatly speed up this process. But just like any other *volunteer* community service, they would prefer not to have a guy join just to take advantage of the inexpensive flying opportunities and not be a contributing member.

I'm thankful that my squadron is pretty large and very active in state services. Our aircraft (a C182R) gets flown about 20-30hrs/month and we get tasked with a wide variety of missions. I've flown SAR missions, photography missions for state agencies after local disasters (floods, accidents, etc), assisting border patrol in searching for 'northbound hikers', CAP Cadet/ROTC orientation flights, and many other tasks. This flying is all free and paid for the by the Air Force, the state, or CAP, respectively.

Once you are checked out in the airplane, you can fly it as you wish up to 100nm past your states border for $44/hour dry. In the 182, I usually average about $75-$85/hr wet when solo, but I'm usually able to split the cost with other pilots, which brings to me around $40/hr for flight in a high performance single. Not too shabby.

As far as adding ratings, what others have said is correct. Only thing you can't do is your initial PPL. Since you already have that, just make friends with a cfi who is in CAP and work something out.

Feel free to pm if you have any specifics you would like to know.