Robert M. Gary wrote:
I've been in CAP for about a year. If you like hanging around airplane
people its a good social outlet. Actually flying missions requires a
good commitment. In our squardron about 15% of the FAA licensed pilots
are certified as mission pilots. The reason is just the long line of
training, written tests and practical tests you go through before you
actually get to fly missions. I've heard people say they get to mission
pilot in 6 months but for most pilots it seems to be about 3 years.
Then you have currency requirements. Anyone who has been in the
military can appreciate the months of dely you run into sometimes just
waiting for approval for the training you just finished. I'm not trying
to talk anyone out of anything (obviously since I've stuck with it) but
rather to set realisitic expectations.
On the possitive side, our squardron is scheduled to get a brand new
glass cockpit 182. The FBO next door is renting the same plane for
$200/hr.

-Robert


I guess the above is what concerns me. I just moved, have no life, and
am looking for something to suck up time. Sitting in meetings, though,
is not better than sitting on my couch - I actually want to do
something. Why are only 15% certified? Is that all that is needed?
Would a female, relatively low time (600-ish) pilot fit in?