germb747
Well-Known Member
Ehhh....not the best advice ever. I wholeheartedly endorse volunteering one's time/talents to CAP--I've contributed 22 years' worth, myself--but free flight time isn't as free-flowing as you suggest and I discourage those seeking out CAP membership solely for the free flying opportunities as they're likely to be disappointed.
<--Spaatz #901/Lt Col, CAP
Granted, I should have pointed out there's a lot more to being in the CAP than just building free flight time, and it can be a pain in the butt to get fully qualified, but it's a great way to serve (I wouldn't endorse flying for free if it wasn't in the spirit of 'service'). Some people call the CAP "Come And Pay", because you do have to rent the plane for your checkrides, proficiency flying, etc. But it's dirt cheap compared to what you spend to rent a plane from an FBO. And there is a lot of taxpayer funded flying out there if you seek it out, i.e. there are always kids looking for free plane rides, there are always exercises going on, there are always ELTs going off. While I still maintain my membership, I really haven't done anything with them since 2004 so maybe things are different now, but I definitely got out of it what I put into it.