P
Pinillah
Guest
I have been looking at the Civil Air Patrol as a way to do some flying. Anyone out there have any personal experience with CAP? Thanx.
When I was living in Coconut Creek I joined CAP at KPMP for 6 months. The unit was in its early stages so it wasn't that much fun. They didn't even have an airplane.
Now that I moved to Boca Raton, there is a unit at KBCT too. They seem to have at least one CAP aircraft. I might send the CO an email and see if I can attend.
Now that I moved to Boca Raton, there is a unit at KBCT too. They seem to have at least one CAP aircraft. I might send the CO an email and see if I can attend.
I fly with the CAP out of one of the Anchorage area squadrons. I enjoy it and I get some good flying in too. I got involved the best way I could...in the maintenance and doing 50 hour oil changes with the aircraft at our location. That was the best way for me to get involved and once you show a genuine interest, people will be willing to give a lil' of their time to get you flying and checked out in the aircraft. If you are there only for the cheaper flying time, then you will find it hard to break in to the circle and get people to volunteer their time to you. I got certified as a scanner/observer and participated in several SAREX's (Search and Rescue Exercises) on my way to meeting the qualifications for Mission Pilot--which I need to continue working on. Once I get my instructor ratings, then I will be able to volunteer time to do aircraft checkouts and get my hours built up that way too
I've been able to log time in the C172, C182, C206, and the DHC-2 (Beaver)...there are a lot of variety of aircraft in this neck of the woods to get qualified in, but if you aren't willing to volunteer your time to the unit then don't expect folks to bend over backwards to help you. You'll get several different responses about the CAP--both positive and negative, but with me already being in the military it's an easy transition to the paperwork and mentality. I find that putting up with some of the B.S. worth it to fly the C172S, for example, for around $49 an hour after paying for fuel. I'd say go for it if you can find a squadron where you like the people and want to volunteer. If you have any specific questions I can answer for you...don't hesitate to PM me.
I am on a Civil Air Patrol aircrew with the Kansas Wing and have had the opprotunity to work with a few of the Anchorage Squardrons. It's a great way to get involved. I really enjoy working with the CAP especially with all of the Homeland Security missions they have just been assigned. Don't join expecting to just jump into airplanes and start flying. They do have minimums and they expect you to come go through there training program and mission/scanner and observer rartings before you will be able to attend a mission pilot ground school. They also have checkrides at the end of thier groundschools and flight training seesions. The people are great and the training is great, but don't do it for the free flight time.
