CAP?

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

What is the CAP "rental" rate now, anyway? When I got out of CAP in
2001, it was about $65.

Chris G.



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

$35 dry. Although there is talk about waving it for many of us for the
new glass 182. CAP is requiring a good amount of flight training to
qualify to fly the glass cockpit and is considering funding the $35
part of it. It makes sense to me because this is maintenance money and
you shouldn't have much out-of-pocket maintenance expenses with a plane
under warranty.

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?

"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

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.

"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