Civil Air Patrol
- Thread starter John2375
- Start date
GreenDayPilot
Well-Known Member
I joined as a senior member with the CAP out of POC. I was 18 at the time, while everyone else was over 50. I started getting busy with flight instruction so I never got around to flying with the CAP or even doing a "form 5". Eventually I just stopped going to the weekly meetings. It was cool hanging around old pilots who always had an intersting story to tell, but if you just want to join for flying then it might not be the best place for you.
aloft
New Member
Do a search, this question has come up many times.
The potential for quick, free hours is not good in CAP generally, but the rental rates for proficiency flying or time-building are very good. I can fly a 2003 C-182T in CAP for about 43% of what it would cost to rent that same aircraft down the ramp from an FBO. There is an increase in red tape to be had for such a deal, tho; you have to wear a uniform (flight suit, etc) when flying, you can't take non-CAP members up with you, and you can't leave the state without approval from the wing (state-level) commander. After you've been a member for a year, you can use CAP aircraft for getting your instrument rating, and once you become a mission pilot, you can use them for getting your commercial or CFI tickets.
The potential for quick, free hours is not good in CAP generally, but the rental rates for proficiency flying or time-building are very good. I can fly a 2003 C-182T in CAP for about 43% of what it would cost to rent that same aircraft down the ramp from an FBO. There is an increase in red tape to be had for such a deal, tho; you have to wear a uniform (flight suit, etc) when flying, you can't take non-CAP members up with you, and you can't leave the state without approval from the wing (state-level) commander. After you've been a member for a year, you can use CAP aircraft for getting your instrument rating, and once you become a mission pilot, you can use them for getting your commercial or CFI tickets.
John2375
New Member
I"ll let you know - after the newyear I'm going to inquire around.. I live about equidistant to PIE and SRQ so was going to look into both branches... if it's too much red tape it's not worth it but it's the type of flying i would like - SAR, etc... I like being involved in stuff like that...MedicRyan said:
be in touch,
John