CAP?

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.

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 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?

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"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:Qi6kf.617617$xm3.103974@attbi_s21...

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.)

Top Gun

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.)

Top Gun

DING DING DING

We've got a winnah!

Now, double bonus points if you can quote the next line...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"