Civil Air Patrol Orientation Flight
Posted by Wright-Brothers@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I joined the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program a few months back and discovered they have a flight program that lets cadets fly a Cessna 172 or 182 full hands on for five flights, with a certified flight instructor in the aircraft who takes off and lands for you. Anyways I went on mine and it was amazing. It was the first aircraft I’ve ever flown and I was astonished at how the turbulence affected an aircraft that small. I loved every bit of my flight and am excited to do it again.
FluxProcrastinator@reddit
How much is it?
abeefwittedfox@reddit
The CAP program lets youth cadets 12-21 fly for free for somewhere between 3 and 10 flights. I say free but there are yearly dues ($330), uniforms, etc.
They're not flight hours for training, but just an introduction to general aviation and the missions that CAP does. Post disaster surveying, ELT location, some DEA missions for adults, stuff like that. It's a pretty cool program!
HappyBappyAviation@reddit
Specifically, each cadet gets 5 flights in a Cessna, included in the cost of membership! It's paid for by the Air Force so really awesome program.
Wright-Brothers@reddit (OP)
Your squadron will sometimes have uniforms in stock that they will gladly give you, which means you only have to pay for your name tapes and plates as well as whatever else they didn’t give you. It’s a great program and 100% worth it
abeefwittedfox@reddit
Absolutely! I got my uniforms from my squadron at first. Nothing fit quite right so I was glad to eventually piece together my own. I heard they switched to OCP for fatigues which is nice to see! The old uniforms were always out of date.
Wright-Brothers@reddit (OP)
Yeah, they’ve started integrating OCP into CAP but I haven’t gotten any yet. I like my ABUs!
SnooCamera@reddit
It should be no costs to cadets.
SnooCamera@reddit
Keep at it. The CAP teaches great skills and does a good mission. A lifetime ago, after I left the military, I was in the Pikes Peak Senior Squadron. (It's now a Composite Squadron.)
Although, judging by the photos you are in Western Colorado.
Wright-Brothers@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your service. If you don’t mind me asking what rank did you make it to in CAP, and what branch did you serve in the military?
SnooCamera@reddit
path: almost 2 years of CAP before military. I did my training as an air traffic controller via active-duty Air Force and transfered to the U.S. Army Guard. Left the Guard, moved states. Joined CAP again. ((CAPR 35-5 rules)) was for the early 1990s and I don't remember the full details, but I don't think they are a lot different today for special appointments.
Appointed 2nd Lt. (based on military experience --not rank--, college hours, FAA CTO Certificate, and Ham Radio license. )
Job move again, out of state, and life became too busy for me to continue CAP.
Wright-Brothers@reddit (OP)
Yeah I’m in the Thunder Mountain Composite Squadron (Grand Junction).