Becoming a Pilot in CAP

 

 

 

 

Becoming a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot can be rewarding and fulfilling, as a CAP pilot you are given the opportunity to fly aircraft that are part of the world’s largest fleet of Cessna aircraft.  In CAP’s status as the auxiliary of the US Air Force, the Air Force provides funds for us to procure aircraft to replace our aircraft as they age and to perform maintenance.  The Air Force expects all CAP members to respect the aircraft that we provide and treat them as your own.  CAP’s fleet of aircraft primarily consists of C-172's and C-182's all of which you could get checked out in. Civil Air Patrol operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft and needs a steady stream of pilots, observers, scanners, photographers, ground crew, and others.

 

As a pilot, you’ll come into the organization as a VFR pilot but depending on experience you can quickly move from VFR pilot to transportation pilot to mission pilot.  You’ll also have the opportunity to work with, and fly. cadets as an orientation pilot if that’s what you enjoy.  Some of these terms may be new to you but the information below will hopefully clear things up. 

 

Although getting checked out in a CAP aircraft can seem difficult at times, it really isn’t that difficult when you look at what you can do for yourself, your community, and the nation.  To help you, the unit should provide a mentor to help you through the process.  If you ever have questions don’t hesitate to ask your unit leadership, they’re in the position of leadership because they value CAP’s mission and all its members.

 

Although getting checked out in a CAP aircraft can seem difficult at times, the following web pages will provide information on CAP’s tracking system, the Web Mission Information Reporting System (WMIRS), and a checklist of things to accomplish as you progress as a CAP pilot.

 

You can get a copy of the Pilot Onboarding pamphlet, CAPP 70-12 on the publications website at: Pilot Onboarding Pamphlet
 

 

1. CAP Flight Management – CAPR 70-1
2. Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus, only if you wish to become a Cadet Orientation Pilot (requires at least 200 hours PIC). – CAPP 60-40
3. AFROTC MOU, If you wish to fly funded AFROTC flights (requires at least 300 hours PIC) you will need to review the AFROTC MOU.
4. Refer to the POH for the desired aircraft type – Read the POH and know the Aircraft’s Speeds, Emergency Procedures Bold Face items, and Systems.
5. If your WMIRS skills are weak contact your Squadron Operations Officer or a CAP IP/Check Pilot for a review.

• Parts 61 and 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
• Aeronautical Information Manual.
• CAPR 70-1, CAP Flight Management.
• CAPP 60-40, Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus, if you wish to become a Cadet Orientation Pilot (requires at least 200 hours PIC).
• AFROTC MOU, If you wish to fly funded AFROTC flights (requires at least 300 hours PIC) you will need to review the AFROTC MOU.
• Take the CAPR 70-1, CAPF 5 Annual Examination within 60 days of your check ride.
• Review the CAPF 5, Attachment 5 to CAPR 70-1, and the current FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards for the class of airplane to be used. If you are instrument rated and plan to seek instrument privileges in CAP aircraft, you should also review the current FAA Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards. These documents will tell you how the flight check will be performed and what maneuvers you may be required to demonstrate. If you are not sure how to perform a maneuver, consult a publication such as the FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook or Flight Training Handbook, Gleim’s Private Pilot Flight Maneuvers, or ASA’s Visualized Flight Maneuvers for High-Wing Aircraft.
• Review the Emergency Procedures section of the checklist for the aircraft you will take the checkride in.

• eServices validation:  Enter in all of your FAA Pilot qualifications using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->FAA Requirements links.  Then use the link->Checkride/Questionnaires for entering questionnaire and checkride information.
• Upload the scanned copies of the FAA Documents documents using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Pilot->FAA Questionnaires->View/Upload Documents->Pilot link and eMail the Squadron Commander to let him know that they are awaiting validation.  This must be done before you fly.

• Wear an approved CAP uniform (Minimum blue CAP polo shirt, gray pants, black shoes).
• Be prepared, relax and have a successful check ride. (Remember that the CP is only there to evaluate your flying skills, this is NOT an instructional session).

• Remember, you are not yet a CAP Pilot, and cannot act as PIC in CAP aircraft, until the Squadron Commander and/or Stan/Eval Officer has copies of all your paperwork, validated all of your pilot qualifications and you are approved as a CAP VFR Pilot in e-services. Once this is all done, you can then act as PIC and can wear the CAP Pilot aeronautical rating (wings).  Go to eServices > My Operations Qualifications > Checkride/Questionnaires > Airplane for entering the questionnaire, Statement of Understanding, and checkride information.
• Upload the scanned copies of the CAPF 5 using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Pilot-> Checkride/Questionnaires->Airplane->View/Upload Documents->Pilot link.
• When you have completed your Form 5 check ride and all of your information has been validated you will then able to be released to fly CAP aircraft. All flights are required to be entered into the Web Information Reporting System (WMIRS). You will need to obtain a user ID and Password to gain access. Once you have access, you may log on and review the WMIRS Instructions which will detail how to enter the information on your flights. WMIRS can be accessed through eServices.