CAP?

"Rachel" wrote

Would a female, relatively low time (600-ish) pilot fit in?

I would say that a woman pilot, with 600 hours, would fit in anytime, in an
aviation based group.

You should also check out the EAA chapters in your area, and possibly the
nearby surrounding towns. Some chapters are much more active, and have
vastly differing personalities.
--
Jim in NC

"Rachel" wrote in message
. ..
Morgans wrote:
"Rachel" wrote


Would a female, relatively low time (600-ish) pilot fit in?


I would say that a woman pilot, with 600 hours, would fit in anytime, in
an
aviation based group.

You should also check out the EAA chapters in your area, and possibly
the
nearby surrounding towns. Some chapters are much more active, and have
vastly differing personalities.

Yeah, EAA is something I looked into in college, and it really wasn't
for me. Maybe it's the "recreational" part - I just don't quite fit
into that group.

A number of EAA chapters abhor anyone other than white males over the age of
70. A recent visit to a rather mature chapter involved a discussion as to
whether Cessna 150s came from the factory with a nose wheel or a tailwheel.

Dave Stadt wrote:


A number of EAA chapters abhor anyone other than white males over the age of
70. A recent visit to a rather mature chapter involved a discussion as to
whether Cessna 150s came from the factory with a nose wheel or a tailwheel.


LOL, that's kind of the idea that I got from the chapter in Indiana that
I visited. Don't get me wrong, I love sitting around talking about
flying (and all my flying buddies are men), but at some point it becomes
ridiculous. Plus, homebuilts and warbirds aren't my thing.

Rachel wrote:
Why are only 15% certified? Is that all that is needed?
Would a female, relatively low time (600-ish) pilot fit in?

I checked into a local Senior squadron to check things out (know a few
peeps in it) and while I WANT to join up, I honestly have too many irons
in the fire at this moment.

My impression is, the 15% number is the end result of the many steps
required to become a mission pilot. You have to be qualified in lesser
positions first, and each level of qualification may require ACTUAL
mission experience before being fully qualified. So, if you aren't
available when the mission hits, you miss out on an opportunity to check
to box.

If you were retired, with no job and 24/7 availability or otherwise
didnt need to work, I'm sure you could breeze through in no time (a few
months at most). Much of the "drag it out" factor is really a function
of how many personal time vampires we each have.

600 is actually pretty high time for what I've come across for new CAP
members in my area.

Dave

I been active for 5 years now and was a cadet from 1969 to 1973. It is a
volunteer organization with many USAF rule and reg's. The rules are not
to bad for anyone with former military experience, however there are the
usual political issues as there are with any volunteer organization. The
level of which depends on the units and state you are involved with.

As I pilot, my personal view is that if I go down I sure want someone to
come looking for me. And if I expect that then I need to be willing to
return the favor if needed. There is training involved and it is much
more professional and demanding as compared to the early 70's.

If you or anyone has the time to commit I recommend it. Give it a try
and it is volunteer you can quit any time.

Ron Gardner, LT
MPT, MS, MO

Rachel wrote:

I've been doing a little research off and on for the past few months,
but can't seem to find anyone who is actually involved.

So - what's the story? Is it a good organization to get involved in?

5 years never marched!

kgruber wrote:

If you like to learn to march!

"Rachel" wrote in message
...
I've been doing a little research off and on for the past few months, but
can't seem to find anyone who is actually involved.

So - what's the story? Is it a good organization to get involved in?

Jay, I knew there was a reason I liked you! You have a very good philosophy.
Some day I need to get to Iowa.

Ron Gardner

Jay Honeck wrote:

So - what's the story? Is it a good organization to get involved in?

My 15 year old son and I have been in a CAP Composite Squadron (made up of
both senior members and cadets) for a year.

There are two reasons to get involved with CAP:

1. For yourself
2. For cadets

If you're into #1, find a Senior Squadron. These are basically flying clubs,
with more casual rules and regs than composite squadrons. There is little
emphasis on anything but SAR (Search and Rescue) and flying. You might
meet twice a month, maybe less.

If you're into #2, composite squadrons are the way to go. With the kids,
there is a greater emphasis on training, encampments, direction finding,
SAR, moral leadership, etc. It's essentially Scouting with a real purpose
beyond just eating SMOREs. You'll meet weekly.

The CAP organization is like any other bureaucracy. If you've got a good
group, it's a good organization. If you're stuck with a bunch of stuffed
shirts or disorganized people, it can suck.

The concept of the organization is a good one. It's up to you to make it
work.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

What are you talking about? There is a log for your time and write ups ect.
for the aircraft and that is it. If that is to much for you to understand I
question how you passed the PP ground school and written.

Yes there are form in CAP much of the and test are online and I have not seen
one that was more than needing a little study work to complete or pass.

Don't let this type of statement sway anyone's idea. Try it and see and make
your own long term decision.

The training and testing is just like what a good volunteer fire department
would demand if you joined just different.

Remember: "You volunteer your time, but once there you are a professional and
the training and commitment required to be professional is required".

Ron Gardner

Jim Burns wrote:

I recently heard it described as "requiring that you are a sadist for
paperwork. If you can't fill out your own 1040 each year nor enjoy doing
it, imagine making it part of your pre-flight."
Jim

"Rachel" wrote in message
...
I've been doing a little research off and on for the past few months,
but can't seem to find anyone who is actually involved.

So - what's the story? Is it a good organization to get involved in?

Don't let this type of statement sway anyone's idea. Try it and see and
make
your own long term decision.

Well, Ron, I haven't bothered to get flight certified, so I can't comment on
that. But I recently drove our squadron van from its home at the airport,
to our open house at the local armory -- a distance of about 5 blocks -- and
back.

In the dark I couldn't find the vehicle log. I figured "What's 10 blocks?"
and left it at that.

Oh, my God. You'd have thought I had done a high speed pass, at over 400
knots, over Penny Benjamin's house. (Bonus points if you can tell me which
movie this is paraphrased from.)

Paperwork is a very CAP thing.
--
Jay Honeck
CAP Senior Member, 2d Lt
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Ronald Gardner wrote:
What are you talking about? There is a log for your time and write ups ect.
for the aircraft and that is it. If that is to much for you to understand I
question how you passed the PP ground school and written.

Yes there are form in CAP much of the and test are online and I have not seen
one that was more than needing a little study work to complete or pass.

Don't let this type of statement sway anyone's idea. Try it and see and make
your own long term decision.

The training and testing is just like what a good volunteer fire department
would demand if you joined just different.

How hard is the testing are we talking about? I haven't flown much in
the past few years, and don't consider myself to be very proficient.
The instructor who has been doing instrument work with me disagrees, but
I don't want to even get into a situation where they tell me I'm not
good enough, you know?