Trying to Fly

[AliR]

Hi everyone,

I am an instrument pilot who hasn't been able to fly but once every 2 months
in the last year or so, because of the fact that I got married, and have a
little one.
I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time as a
pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, so that I can keep
current, and most importantly do the thing that I love the most, Fly.

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks
Clipped Wings

[Randy]

Have you considered Angel Flight? At least it counts as a deduction to
the IRS.

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 18:03:39 GMT, "AliR" > wrote
in >::

>I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time as a
>pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, ...


What sort of organization might that be? Are you a CFI? It's not
clear exactly what you're suggesting. You've also not mentioned your
location. I presume you intend to find the organization you suggest
nearby.

[AliR]

I am not a CFI, yet. I am actually working on my Commercial, I have roughly
230 hours, trying to get to the 250 bench mark.

Sorry I should have said I was in Dallas TX. I was talking about
organizations like Civil Air Patrol, where they would supply the plane, and
a little mission. Though I haven't been able to get a hold of anyone there
yet to see what kind of opportunities that have for some one like me.

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 18:03:39 GMT, "AliR" > wrote
> in >::
>
> >I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time as
a
> >pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, ...
>
>
> What sort of organization might that be? Are you a CFI? It's not
> clear exactly what you're suggesting. You've also not mentioned your
> location. I presume you intend to find the organization you suggest
> nearby.
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time as
> a
> pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, so that I can keep
> current,

Try joining Civil Air Patrol. You can rent their 172s, dry, for just $21
per hour. 182s are just $23 per hour.

CFIs are free, if you wish to add a rating. And mission flights don't cost
you a dime.

Gliders are just $3 per hour, plus the tow plane, which you pay the straight
172 rates for (see above).

And you get to provide your country with a valuable service -- search &
rescue. AND, if you've got teenagers, you get to do something with your
kids.

It's been a win-win for my son and me.
--
Jay Honeck
CAP Senior Member, 2d Lt
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[AliR]

I have dropped by the local CAPs office at Addison Airport, but there is
never anyone there. I haven't been able to reach them by phone either. I
guess I'll keep trying.

Thanks for the suggestion.
AliR.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:3eA7e.14330$xL4.4172@attbi_s72...
> > I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time
as
> > a
> > pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, so that I can keep
> > current,
>
> Try joining Civil Air Patrol. You can rent their 172s, dry, for just $21
> per hour. 182s are just $23 per hour.
>
> CFIs are free, if you wish to add a rating. And mission flights don't
cost
> you a dime.
>
> Gliders are just $3 per hour, plus the tow plane, which you pay the
straight
> 172 rates for (see above).
>
> And you get to provide your country with a valuable service -- search &
> rescue. AND, if you've got teenagers, you get to do something with your
> kids.
>
> It's been a win-win for my son and me.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> CAP Senior Member, 2d Lt
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[OtisWinslow]

While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military wannabes,
politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
just the situation at some units?



"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:3eA7e.14330$xL4.4172@attbi_s72...
>> I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time as
>> a
>> pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, so that I can keep
>> current,
>
> Try joining Civil Air Patrol. You can rent their 172s, dry, for just $21
> per hour. 182s are just $23 per hour.
>
> CFIs are free, if you wish to add a rating. And mission flights don't
> cost you a dime.
>
> Gliders are just $3 per hour, plus the tow plane, which you pay the
> straight 172 rates for (see above).
>
> And you get to provide your country with a valuable service -- search &
> rescue. AND, if you've got teenagers, you get to do something with your
> kids.
>
> It's been a win-win for my son and me.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> CAP Senior Member, 2d Lt
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Montblack]

("Jay Honeck" wrote)
> It's been a win-win for my son and me.

Sounds great ...until CAP adults start getting called up to Iraq?

Won't happen? Hmm, I think I heard about some recent legislation - maybe it
was just an Executive Order... :-)

Chamberlain at Gettysburg
Honeck in Iraq

There's something about those English majors <g>


Montblack

[Peter]

> I am not a CFI, yet. I am actually working on my Commercial, I have
roughly
> 230 hours, trying to get to the 250 bench mark.
>
> Sorry I should have said I was in Dallas TX. I was talking about
> organizations like Civil Air Patrol, where they would supply the plane,
and
> a little mission. Though I haven't been able to get a hold of anyone
there
> yet to see what kind of opportunities that have for some one like me.
>

Don't you know that CAP stands for Come And Pay ? While mission flight
costs are usually reimbursed to you, becoming qualified to be a mission
pilot is a time consuming effort which will cost you some money.

[Peter]

> While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
> heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military wannabes,
> politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
> just the situation at some units?
>

That's very common. When you spend more time doing useless paperwork and
silly training classes than flying its very discouraging. The actual flying
and SAR mission training is great.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Montblack" > wrote in message
...
> ("Jay Honeck" wrote)
>> It's been a win-win for my son and me.
>
> Sounds great ...until CAP adults start getting called up to Iraq?
>
> Won't happen? Hmm, I think I heard about some recent legislation - maybe
> it was just an Executive Order... :-)
>
> Chamberlain at Gettysburg
> Honeck in Iraq
>
> There's something about those English majors <g>
>
>


CITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Stadt]

A good number of CAP adults are retired folks. I think your information is
not correct.

"Montblack" > wrote in message
...
> ("Jay Honeck" wrote)
> > It's been a win-win for my son and me.
>
> Sounds great ...until CAP adults start getting called up to Iraq?
>
> Won't happen? Hmm, I think I heard about some recent legislation - maybe
it
> was just an Executive Order... :-)
>
> Chamberlain at Gettysburg
> Honeck in Iraq
>
> There's something about those English majors <g>
>
>
> Montblack
>

[Jay Honeck]

>I have dropped by the local CAPs office at Addison Airport, but there is
> never anyone there. I haven't been able to reach them by phone either.

http://www.cap.gov/

Because they are a volunteer organization, it can be hard to make contact
with your local CAP squadron. This website should allow you to determine
who to call in your State (at the Wing level, anyway), who can then direct
you to the proper people at your local level.

Good luck!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

>> While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
>> heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military
>> wannabes,
>> politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
>> just the situation at some units?
>>
>
> That's very common. When you spend more time doing useless paperwork and
> silly training classes than flying its very discouraging. The actual
> flying
> and SAR mission training is great.

Yes, there's a lot of crap involved. But no more so than I've found in
other large national organizations.

Bureaucracy rule all organizations.

But CAP is the only one I've found that has airplanes, and actually lets you
fly them around!

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Sounds great ...until CAP adults start getting called up to Iraq?

Yeah, we'll scare the heck out of the insurgents with our radio direction
finding equipment. Look just like big TASARs...

And I can just imagine the noise complaints from the locals about those low
flying Skyhawks!

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Don't you know that CAP stands for Come And Pay ? While mission flight
> costs are usually reimbursed to you, becoming qualified to be a mission
> pilot is a time consuming effort which will cost you some money.

It will cost you a lot of time -- but compared to flying in the "real world"
not much money.

I am in the process of getting checked out in CAP as a pilot -- I'll report
on it when I've finished the process.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Morgans]

"Jay Honeck" wrote

> And I can just imagine the noise complaints from the locals about those
low
> flying Skyhawks!

There was a bad guy that said Skyhawks are better than A-10's making a funny
buzzing noise!
--
Jim in NC

[BTIZ]

but to take members of your family... they have to be members..

imagine that..

BT

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:qMG7e.15754$Bb3.6312@attbi_s22...
>>> While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
>>> heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military
>>> wannabes,
>>> politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
>>> just the situation at some units?
>>>
>>
>> That's very common. When you spend more time doing useless paperwork and
>> silly training classes than flying its very discouraging. The actual
>> flying
>> and SAR mission training is great.
>
> Yes, there's a lot of crap involved. But no more so than I've found in
> other large national organizations.
>
> Bureaucracy rule all organizations.
>
> But CAP is the only one I've found that has airplanes, and actually lets
> you fly them around!
>
> :-)
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Newps]

>>>While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
>>>heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military
>>>wannabes,
>>>politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
>>>just the situation at some units?
>>>
>>
>>That's very common. When you spend more time doing useless paperwork and
>>silly training classes than flying its very discouraging. The actual
>>flying
>>and SAR mission training is great.

CAP pilots as a group are the dumbest ones out there. Give me a pattern
full of first solo's rather than one CAP pilot in the units 182. They
don't know how to talk on the radio, they have no idea where they are or
where they're going, they don't do what they're told or even what they
request to do, etc. It's amazing that CAP can ever find anybody who
went down.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Newps" > wrote in message
...
>
>
>>>>While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
>>>>heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military
>>>>wannabes,
>>>>politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
>>>>just the situation at some units?
>>>>
>>>
>>>That's very common. When you spend more time doing useless paperwork and
>>>silly training classes than flying its very discouraging. The actual
>>>flying
>>>and SAR mission training is great.
>
> CAP pilots as a group are the dumbest ones out there. Give me a pattern
> full of first solo's rather than one CAP pilot in the units 182. They
> don't know how to talk on the radio, they have no idea where they are or
> where they're going, they don't do what they're told or even what they
> request to do, etc. It's amazing that CAP can ever find anybody who went
> down.

We had a doctor in a Bo go down near here a few years ago and they called in
CAP for the SAR. They flew for 3 days at 1000 agl searching. One of the
pipeline pilots finally decided to expanding spiral search pattern from the
last known position and found him less than an hour later about a quater
mile fom the center of the CAP grid.

[Darrel Toepfer]

OtisWinslow wrote:

> While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
> heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military wannabes,
> politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
> just the situation at some units?

Joined March '83, saw the plane once (C182), prior to joining. Its been
moved since then, stays locked away in a hanger for others to enjoy I
suppose...

[Matt Barrow]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wr.giacona@coxDOTnet> wrote in message
news:evR7e.16600$up2.14837@okepread01...
>
> "Newps" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>
> >>>That's very common. When you spend more time doing useless paperwork
and
> >>>silly training classes than flying its very discouraging. The actual
> >>>flying
> >>>and SAR mission training is great.
> >
> > CAP pilots as a group are the dumbest ones out there. Give me a pattern
> > full of first solo's rather than one CAP pilot in the units 182. They
> > don't know how to talk on the radio, they have no idea where they are or
> > where they're going, they don't do what they're told or even what they
> > request to do, etc. It's amazing that CAP can ever find anybody who
went
> > down.
>
> We had a doctor in a Bo go down near here a few years ago and they called
in
> CAP for the SAR. They flew for 3 days at 1000 agl searching. One of the
> pipeline pilots finally decided to expanding spiral search pattern from
the
> last known position and found him less than an hour later about a quater
> mile fom the center of the CAP grid.
>

Seems the one's that CAP picks for flight/training are more a matter of
politics than talent.

[Larry Dighera]

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:34:59 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> wrote in
>::

>Seems the one's that CAP picks for flight/training are more a matter of
>politics than talent.

My experience with the CAP left the bitter taste of bureaucratic
politics in my mouth. It also raised concerns about military drug
running. Perhaps my intuition wasn't too far from the truth:


http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-04-14-jet-bust_x.htm

Posted 4/14/2005 8:50 AM

Air Force jet was used for drug run, authorities say
NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. military pilot and a sergeant were being
held on federal narcotics charges after admitting they flew an Air
Force jet from New York to Germany and returned with 290,000 pills
of Ecstasy worth millions of dollars, authorities said Wednesday.

Capt. Franklin Rodriguez, 35, and Master Sgt. John Fong, 36, were
arrested Tuesday when their cargo plane returned to Stewart Air
National Guard Base in Newburgh, about 40 miles north of New York
City.

The men were ordered held without bail at court appearances late
Wednesday. Jennifer Brown, a lawyer for Fong, declined to comment.
A lawyer for Rodriguez could not immediately be reached for
comment.

Rodriguez and Fong, members of the Air National Guard, allegedly
went to a hotel room in Germany and loaded packages of Ecstasy
into their personal luggage, the complaint alleged.

When they returned to Stewart, federal law enforcement agents
watched Fong load bags and boxes into a BMW registered to
Rodriguez, the complaint said.

Later, both men consented to interviews during which Rodriguez
admitted he had brought the drugs from Germany and had done so
before, eventually taking the drugs to his Bronx apartment for
distribution, the complaint said.

Fong admitted he brought pills on three other military flights and
that he was paid $10,000 a trip, the complaint said. ...

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:34:59 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> > wrote in
> >::
>
>>Seems the one's that CAP picks for flight/training are more a matter of
>>politics than talent.
>
> My experience with the CAP left the bitter taste of bureaucratic
> politics in my mouth. It also raised concerns about military drug
> running. Perhaps my intuition wasn't too far from the truth:
>
>
> http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-04-14-jet-bust_x.htm
>
> Posted 4/14/2005 8:50 AM
>
> Air Force jet was used for drug run, authorities say
> NEW YORK (AP) - A U.S. military pilot and a sergeant were being
> held on federal narcotics charges after admitting they flew an Air
> Force jet from New York to Germany and returned with 290,000 pills
> of Ecstasy worth millions of dollars, authorities said Wednesday.
>
<SNIP>

What the hell does that have to do with CAP.

[Larry Dighera]

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:52:10 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
<wr.giacona@coxDOTnet> wrote in <YPV7e.16623$up2.2949@okepread01>::

>
>"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
>> On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:34:59 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
>> > wrote in
>> >::
>>
>>>Seems the one's that CAP picks for flight/training are more a matter of
>>>politics than talent.
>>
>> My experience with the CAP left the bitter taste of bureaucratic
>> politics in my mouth. It also raised concerns about military drug
>> running. Perhaps my intuition wasn't too far from the truth:
>>
>>
>> http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-04-14-jet-bust_x.htm
>>
>> Posted 4/14/2005 8:50 AM
>>
>> Air Force jet was used for drug run, authorities say
>> NEW YORK (AP) - A U.S. military pilot and a sergeant were being
>> held on federal narcotics charges after admitting they flew an Air
>> Force jet from New York to Germany and returned with 290,000 pills
>> of Ecstasy worth millions of dollars, authorities said Wednesday.
>>
><SNIP>
>
>What the hell does that have to do with CAP.
>

On the military field where the CAP post was located, I observed some
suspicious activity among the pilots who instruct CAP cadets.

[Margy]

From what I can tell each unit has it's own personality, so if you
don't like one, try another. There are quite a few rules and regs to
go through as it is a sort of military kind of thing.

OtisWinslow wrote:
> While the CAP sounds like fun and provides a valuable service, I've
> heard from people who've tried it that there's a lot of military wannabes,
> politics, and things that take away the enjoyment. Is this common, or
> just the situation at some units?
>
>
>
> "Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
> news:3eA7e.14330$xL4.4172@attbi_s72...
>
>>>I am looking for a place or organization where I can volunteer my time as
>>>a
>>>pilot, not have to pay too much for the equipment, so that I can keep
>>>current,
>>
>>Try joining Civil Air Patrol. You can rent their 172s, dry, for just $21
>>per hour. 182s are just $23 per hour.
>>
>>CFIs are free, if you wish to add a rating. And mission flights don't
>>cost you a dime.
>>
>>Gliders are just $3 per hour, plus the tow plane, which you pay the
>>straight 172 rates for (see above).
>>
>>And you get to provide your country with a valuable service -- search &
>>rescue. AND, if you've got teenagers, you get to do something with your
>>kids.
>>
>>It's been a win-win for my son and me.
>>--
>>Jay Honeck
>>CAP Senior Member, 2d Lt
>>Iowa City, IA
>>Pathfinder N56993
>>www.AlexisParkInn.com
>>"Your Aviation Destination"
>>
>
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> From what I can tell each unit has it's own personality, so if you don't
> like one, try another. There are quite a few rules and regs to go through
> as it is a sort of military kind of thing.

True enough.

However, my son spent all day Saturday training on a SAREX (Search & Rescue
Exercise), had a great time, learned a lot about teamwork and coordination,
and maybe learned some skills that might benefit one of us here someday.
(We hope not!)

Last night was our monthly PT (Physical Training) night. We both shaved
some time off of our 1-mile runs, and then the squadron played volleyball
for the next 2 hours. Everyone had a great time.

CAP can be a lot of military gobbledy-gook, but it's great for cadets, IMHO.
Sorta like the Boy Scouts -- but with a real purpose.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Larry Dighera]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 03:58:48 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote in
<Y5Ebe.24371$r53.23845@attbi_s21>::

>CAP can be a lot of military gobbledy-gook, but it's great for cadets, IMHO.
>Sorta like the Boy Scouts -- but with a real purpose.

And that purpose would be, drug interdiction? :-)

[Chuck]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 06:18:06 GMT, Larry Dighera >
wrote:

>On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 03:58:48 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote in
><Y5Ebe.24371$r53.23845@attbi_s21>::
>
>>CAP can be a lot of military gobbledy-gook, but it's great for cadets, IMHO.
>>Sorta like the Boy Scouts -- but with a real purpose.
>
>And that purpose would be, drug interdiction? :-)

No, as a matter of fact -- CAP's primary mission is Search and Rescue.
CAP is the primary agency for ANY missing aircraft SAR, whether it be
civilian or military.

An second equally important mission is tracking down any noisy ELT.
All control towers and U.S. satellites pick up any ELT that goes off.
DF from towers or general location pinpoint from a satellite calls out
the nearest CAP unit to investigate.

A third important mission for CAP is disaster evaluation and recovery
effort support. I know the local unit here in San Antonio deployed
with multiple teams and flew dozens of hours searching for remains of
the destroyed shuttle a few years ago. Lately, the State of Texas has
repeatedly used CAP to perform near-real-time distasters evaluations
so they can respond appropriately. A good example is CAP flying photo
recon missions two/three days in a row when that bad weather rolled
through Dallas last fall and broke some dams.

Now, this doesn't address the Cadet mission at all. The whole system
for young people is geared to teaching aerospace subjects, learning
discipline/responsibility, and producing leaders. As someone said --
somewhat like the Boy Scouts. Or maybe JROTC would be a better
comparison.

So, no -- CAP does NOT have a "drug interdiction" mission. In fact,
CAP members are specifically reminded OFTEN that they are not in any
official position, cannot lend a hand to law enforcement personnel
(even if asked by them), can't be armed in any fashion, have no
authority to detain people or even go onto private property without
the owner's permission.

The "Real Purpose" -- Search & Rescue.



Chuck

[Larry Dighera]

On Sat, 07 May 2005 02:32:27 GMT, Chuck > wrote in
>::

>So, no -- CAP does NOT have a "drug interdiction" mission.

What you assert may be correct with the exception of your statement
above.

Have you seen this:

http://www.avweb.com/news/atis/184424-1.html
July 15, 1998

Addicted to Drugs: The Civil Air Patrol and Operation Drop-In

AVweb's Jeb Burnside and Doug Ritter, both with long-term backgrounds
in the CAP, take an in-depth look at Civil Air Patrol's Operation
Drop-In. As a result of this program, the reaction among non-CAP
pilots to their bretheren in blue has degenerated from feelings of
benign neglect — and occasionally simple dislike — to unconcealed
hostility. Jeb and Doug examine why this is happening, what went
wrong, and suggest a solution. They also examine the positive side of
CAP: one flawed decision does not make for an evil organization.

By Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside and Doug Ritter

Recent reporting by AVweb and other aviation publications
illuminating the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP) participation in Operation
Drop-In and related anti-drug efforts by the federal government has
highlighted a fundamental shift from the CAP's traditional primary
mission, search and rescue. No longer is the organization's central
focus on its role as the auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force but,
increasingly, it is on new activities that have nothing to do with
looking for missing aircraft and persons or its cadet programs. Those
activities involve serving in a support role — a force multiplier, if
you will — for the federal government's controversial drug
interdiction efforts, as well as other federal law enforcement
activities.

In fact, Operation Drop-In is just the latest, formal program
involving the CAP and the nation's chief anti-drug agencies, the U.S.
Customs Service and the Drug Enforcement Agency. For years, the CAP
has been engaged in flight operations on behalf of the federal
government, flying federal law enforcement personnel and their
equipment to search for clandestine airstrips and marijuana fields and
flying the borders looking for smugglers, for example. Of course, as
the CAP's drug-interdiction activities have grown in scope and
frequency, so have its budget and its appetite for an ever-greater
role to play. You could say that CAP is, itself, addicted to drugs.

What's All The Fuss?
As word of the CAP's involvement in Operation Drop-In has spread, so
has grass roots opposition to this role, leading to a major and
growing public relations problem for the organization. Of course, CAP
has always had something of a public relations problem among many
pilots. Much of this problem stems from the long-held perception among
CAP members that being a member and wearing a uniform confers upon
them some special authority. Manifestations of such attitudes tend to
rub the general pilot population the wrong way. In particular, many in
CAP tend to emphasize the military aspects of the organization, the
uniforms, rank, decorations and regulations, turning off many pilots
who see this enthusiasm for such trappings as misplaced and an insult
to those who have served in the military, despite the fact that many
in CAP are former military members. Some call this the "tin soldier"
syndrome, itself a reason many decide not to join, or quickly drop out
of CAP.

Non-members are sometimes envious of what they view as the CAP
member's perks: free or reduced-cost flying time in equipment that
often compares quite favorably to what is available at the local FBO.
They probably don't know that members joke that CAP means "Come And
Pay" for the myriad of expenses generally shouldered by those who are
active members.

Animosity toward CAP can arise from many places. From the FBO who
sees only the low-cost flying offered by CAP as a threat to his
business. To the former member who cared not for the chain of command
or who had a bad cadet experience, and to the fly-in visitor who has
had a run-in with a poorly-trained CAP cadet providing directions to a
parking spot.

Whatever the rationale, whatever the reason, the CAP's perception
among average GA pilots is decidedly mixed. Over the years that
perception has generally tended to get worse, not better, and CAP has
generally done little to help matters. While most pilots generally
agree that the CAP serves a useful function through its youth,
aerospace education and SAR programs — especially its SAR programs —
that understanding often dissolves into vehement opposition when
Operation Drop-In is discussed. Reaction to this program and CAP's
involvement has been far louder and more pronounced than the generally
benign reaction to prior CAP efforts in government drug interdiction
efforts which were focused solely on violators of the law with little
or no interaction or involvement of the general pilot population at
large.

Simply put, GA pilots go ballistic when they learn that the CAP is
"spying" on them or their airplane. Despite the uniforms and military
trappings, CAP is still viewed as civilian in nature and certainly not
as law enforcement personnel. Pilots are an independent breed. If they
weren't before they started flying, they became more independent after
their newfound ability to pretty much go when and where they want
became habit. The knowledge that Uncle Sugar is poking around airport
ramps, jotting down notes on N-numbers and serial numbers, is viewed
as yet another inch of the camel's nose under the tent leading to
eradication of "general aviation as we know it." The CAP, as the
organization implementing the government's anti-drug policy, comes in
for the brunt of the criticism. Little opposition was heard when it
was the National Guard carrying out the policy, though after being
sensitized to the efforts by the CAP operation, that itself might
change.

What are the CAP's anti-drug activities? How does Operation Drop-In
mesh with the federal government's other antidrug activities? Most
importantly, how did CAP's involvement in Operation Drop-In come
about, how important is this involvement to the organization's future
and what will that future include? Read on.

A Brief History of the CAP
Although its history dates from World War II, Congress "officially"
created the Civil Air Patrol in 1946 to serve three primary missions:
aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.
Subsequently, in 1948, Congress designated the CAP as the official
auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, shortly after the service itself was
separated from the U.S. Army. These two congressional acts have their
roots in the coastal patrol and submarine spotting efforts begun by
volunteer general aviation pilots during World War II. After the war,
rather than disband the CAP and give up the national asset it had
become, Congress opted to formalize the organization and make it
answerable to the Air Force.

In 1985, Congress' infinite wisdom lent itself to expanding the CAP's
role, by adding support of law enforcement to the organization's
missions. Interestingly, nowhere in any of its promotional literature,
including that used to solicit new members, is mention made of this
fourth mission. The following year, 1986, Congress put money where its
mouth was by allocating some $7 million of that year's military
appropriation to acquire "major items of equipment" need by CAP to
accomplish its counter-drug reconnaissance mission. Since then, more
and more federal agencies — including the FAA — have been enlisted to
help the federal government wage its war against drugs.

Enter The FAA
Skip to 1997. At that time, the FAA was developing its latest
contribution to the federal government's antidrug effort — at least
part of which has basically become Operation Drop-In — and learned of
the CAP's role in supporting the DEA and the Customs Service. Run by
the FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security (ACS), the agency was
seeking some way of enhancing its own mission, that of protecting "the
users of commercial air transportation against terrorist and other
criminal acts."

The ACS was developing a new counterdrug initiative and, through
contacts in federal law enforcement, learned of the CAP's assistance
to the U.S. Customs Service. One thing led to another and a Memorandum
of Understanding was entered into between the FAA, the USAF and the
CAP on May 15, 1997. Less than a month later, on June 8, 1997, AVweb
first reported on Operation Drop-In. This MOU forms the underpinnings
of Operation Drop-In, apparently flowing from ACS's Drug
Investigations Support Program (DISP). According to the ACS's web
site, this program is designed to assist "Federal, state, and local
law enforcement agencies with airborne drug interdiction," among other
objectives. Apparently, those objectives include the euphemistically
termed "surveys" of general aviation airports and the logging of
N-numbers, aircraft data plates, etc.

So, Just What Is Operation Drop-In?
Good question. According to a "point paper" prepared by the CAP,
Operation Drop-In involves conducting these surveys at GA airports "as
directed by the FAA to assist in the identification of aircraft used
in drug trafficking." The point paper goes on to note that
"information collected by CAP volunteers on the surveys include the
registration number and data plate information, as well as
characteristics common to aircraft used in drug trafficking." The
information, once collected, is then forwarded to the FAA, presumably
the ASC. What the ASC does with it something of a mystery, but AVweb
is reliably told that the agency compares the data from Operation
Drop-In with its own data. Presumably, this means the aircraft
registrations database. The agency then culls "most" of that
information and ships the remainder to a clearinghouse operation
created by the federal government to manage counter-drug activities.
Many remain suspicious that the information not appropriate for
investigation is, in fact, disposed of, remembering too many instances
of drug enforcement agencies playing fast and loose with rules and
civil law and intent.

All of which raises several more questions. AVweb has submitted to
CAP HQ at Maxwell AFB several detailed questions regarding Operation
Drop-In. Among the information we've sought is some idea of the use to
which the FAA puts this data, the training and specific parameters
used by CAP members participating in Operation Drop-In and the
program's financial impact on the organization. We also asked for
information on national participation in the program and whether any
altercations have erupted. To date, however, we have yet to receive a
response to our inquiries. As a result, we can't tell our readers what
the historical results of Operation Drop-In have been.

We can't tell you what special training or equipment CAP units receive
involving Operation Drop-In. We also can't tell you what kind of
financial impact Operation Drop-In has had on the CAP, nor can we tell
you the degree to which CAP units nationwide are participating in the
program. This is a shame — and a disservice to rank and file CAP
members — because the phenomenal interest in Operation Drop-In among
general aviation pilots is growing daily. By addressing these
questions and helping GA better understand the program, the CAP might
possibly help to ward off criticism and tell its side of the story
concerning the value of Operation Drop-In. As it is, however, the
CAP's relative silence cannot but harm the organization.

What We Do Know
On the other hand, we do get lots of messages and reports from the
field. Reports of entire CAP wings (what CAP calls the individual
state organizations that make up CAP nationwide) opting out of the
program, California and Ohio being two examples, according to our
sources. Reports of many local squadrons declining to participate.
Reports of long-time members deciding enough is enough and opting to
leave the CAP. As we say, we tried to get a list from CAP, but they
have so far declined to provide one. It appears that even within CAP,
support for this program is mixed, with many members vehemently
opposed to CAP's participation. This in spite of the fact that as a
purely volunteer organization, nobody in CAP is obligated to
participate if they don't want to.

We have also received disturbing reports such as the one from a CAP
member who attended training given to Operation Drop-In participants
where he says they were told, reading directly from official CAP
documents, that if ever confronted at an airport while conducting a
mission, to say that they are on a "flight training mission." In
addition, they were told, if they don't see any "suspicious"
aircraft,to just write down random N-numbers of whatever aircraft they
do see and turn them in, clearly an action without the slightest
probable cause.

With CAP unwilling to provide any answers to our queries, AVweb is
left to provide its own answers to many of these questions based on
previously issued official information. One of them is what
characteristics are common to aircraft use in drug trafficking? Think
about it. Look for obvious signs of off-airport operation: dirt and
mud, gravel dings, grass stains, etc. Just the kind of "evidence"
exhibited by aircraft operating at the hundreds of perfectly
legitimate grass and dirt airstrips around the country. Look also for
signs of additional fuel capacity, like auxiliary tanks in the cabin.
Like someone would use for an over-water ferry flight. "Stripped-down"
aircraft, with otherwise normal equipment (seats, radios, etc.)
removed to increase its useful load. Similar to what most parachute
schools and organizations do with their jump planes. So far, no
revelations here — just basic common sense and things the general
aviation community has been aware of for years. And, things which have
logical explanations and purposes for the most part.

Blacked out cabin windows, a tarp covering bulky cargo and/or loose
"plant matter" in the cabin are also signs. Just the sort of thing
pilots do to protect their interiors, especially in sunny climes near
the southern border, and to protect valuable equipment from prying
eyes and temptation. But, perhaps the most basic of information
uncovered by Operation Drop-In is whether a displayed N-number matches
the FAA's registration records when compared with the aircraft data
plate. Seemingly, anyone can paint on their aircraft any N-number they
want, with or without registering it with the FAA. Doing so, of
course, is a clear violation of the FARs and is a red flag to anyone
with a suspicious mind. Which basically means that such an option is
not a good one for a drug smuggler. In fact, any airplane exhibiting
such characteristics would raise eyebrows on any airport ramp or in
any maintenance shop around the country.

Which highlights the basic flaw with and the fundamental source of
opposition to Operation Drop-In among general aviation pilots: the
kind of "evidence" being sought through the program is so obviously
blatant, so apparent to a casual observer, that anyone engaged in drug
smuggling would carefully avoid flying into any public airport with an
airplane exhibiting these characteristics. As a result, Operation
Drop-In and similar programs can only be viewed as focusing on
otherwise law-abiding pilots and aircraft owners. Despite the fact
that the aircraft being "surveyed" are parked in the open for anyone
to see (a basic rule of Operation Drop-In specifies that no hangars
are to be entered) the very idea that they are under suspicion by the
federal government — and by the CAP, comprised as it is of fellow
pilots — sends pilots and aircraft owners into orbit.

Many who seem to have difficulty understanding opposition to Operation
Drop-In have compared it to neighborhood watch programs designed to
prevent crime. The salient difference is that such neighborhood watch
programs involve all the law abiding citizens of the block and deal
only with situations where there is reasonable suspicion that
something illegal is going on. These programs don't generally report
law abiding activities or subject innocent citizens to some sort of
review by a clandestine government operation based on criteria that is
unknown, nor do the results end up in some national database.

In AVweb's view, the premise of Operation Drop-In — that drug
smugglers use public airports with aircraft obviously used for such
purposes — is so flawed that the program can only be viewed as a
further intrusion into the privacy of general aviation pilots and
aircraft owners. The CAP's involvement — aiding and abetting this
invasion of privacy — is viewed as a blatant betrayal from within the
"brotherhood" of aviation. Through its participation in Operation
Drop-In, the Civil Air Patrol, as an institution, is being
irreversibly harmed.

As a result of Operation Drop-In, AVweb has seen the reaction among
non-CAP pilots to their brethren in blue degenerate from feelings of
benign neglect and simple dislike to unconcealed hostility. AVweb has
watched the CAP's involvement with Operation Drop-In generate a
growing backlash against the organization among pilots. Combine that
backlash with the CAP's failure to either anticipate adverse reactions
among its core constituency of general aviation pilots, or even among
its own membership, or to proactively explain its role — including
helping AVweb understand that role — and one begins to understand what
the increasingly loud shouting within the GA community is all about.

We question how anyone is supposed to trust an organization that is
telling its members to, if not tell an outright lie, at very best to
stretch the truth to damn near breaking. What are other pilots
supposed to think of CAP members willing to go along with such conduct
in direct contradiction of the CAP standards of general conduct and
ethics? What sort of message does that send to the cadets for whom
seniors are supposed to set an example?

As this article was being prepared, CAP HQ informed AVweb that the
organization's participation in Operation Drop-In was being "carefully
considered." AVweb was told that Operation Drop-In was the subject of
communications among the CAP's National Executive Committee — with the
clear implication that Operation Drop-In was being reevaluated — and
that a statement would be forthcoming from the National Commander no
later than Friday, July 10. Unfortunately, that deadline came and went
without any such statement.

For the Civil Air Patrol's sake, AVweb hopes that Operation Drop-In
will, itself, be dropped by the organization and that the CAP will use
the resources available to re-focus itself on its three core missions.
Anything less will only serve to further remove the CAP from its
general aviation roots and further alienate it from its core
constituency. For the sake of the future of Civil Air Patrol, CAP must
"just say no!"


A Valuable Organization
Without a doubt, Civil Air Patrol has a significant role to play in
general aviation. The CAP's three main programs — Aerospace Education,
Youth Development and Search and Rescue — have served both the
organization and general aviation quite well during the 50-plus years
of CAP's formal existence. In fact, many CAP cadets go on to
successful military careers or into commercial aviation. The programs
also serve to get teenagers off the street, provide them with (most of
the time) excellent role models, valuable social development and
interaction with their peers, plus instill in them the concepts of
teamwork, achievement and leadership.

Of course, no discussion of the CAP's contributions would be complete
without a deep bow to its Search and Rescue mission. Time and again,
CAP volunteers have donated their valuable time, resources and —
tragically — given their lives in attempting to locate downed aircraft
and missing persons, to name but a very short list of typical SAR
missions. CAP has also always been there in times of natural disaster,
assisting with trained emergency service volunteers in addition to air
operations.

Following are a few comments AVweb has received and public posts that
have been made that highlight the constructive, worthwhile support CAP
provides to general aviation.

"I had an older brother and a younger sister who took full advantage
of the cadet and senior programs and certainly learned a lot from it.
The exchange program and summer encampments are experiences that I can
remember hearing about and wishing I were a part of. There was also a
Ranger program that taught survival skills and it was certainly a huge
status symbol to wear the orange ball cap of a Ranger because you had
to earn it. We had a very vibrant and enthusiastic cadet squadron of
around 40 members in our area...and it thrived on the enthusiasm of
the senior leaders who really were interested in developing solid
citizens."

"I joined the CAP Cadet program in about 1965, at the age of about
fifteen. I had always had a strong interest in aviation, and wanted to
be a fighter pilot. My experiences are not typical of all cadets,
however, for three reasons: I was in a better squadron than most, I
stayed longer than most cadets do, and I advanced farther and was
involved in more programs than most cadets. Nevertheless, my
experiences show what CAP is capable of."

"In light of how Civil Air Patrol is being consistently raked over the
coals by most of the aviation community, I would like to forward this
press release of a search mission that occurred last weekend resulting
in four lives being saved in Oregon. Despite the public impression of
Operation Drop-In, a VERY small part of our total mission, all members
of CAP are still dedicated to doing what we do best, SAVING LIVES. If
people would simply step back and look at the big picture of CAP,
rather than fixating on Drop-In, they might realize that we still work
very hard as volunteers, giving our time and money without any
compensation, so that others may live."

We're having a nice time right now with a CAP squadron encampment at
our gliderport. They GI-clean the place, help handle ships, feed the
cat.... It all depends on leadership. The guy in charge has to have a
firm grip on the testosterone valve. PS: This group's CO looked over
our video collection, pulled out "Top Gun", and said, "Lock this up."


An Uneasy Feeling
Here at AVweb we have received a lot of feedback regarding our
coverage of the CAP's Operation Drop-In. In round numbers, reader
opinion is running 3 to 1 in opposition to the program. Perhaps more
instructive, however, are the observations, first-hand accounts and
information we have received from many readers. They have been
de-identified where requested and names have been withheld. Below, we
have included a handful of them, edited for space and punctuation,
that are representative of the comments we have received.

"Part of the 'procedure' for CAP members was disclosed to me last
night at a CAP meeting. It was read directly from a briefing and
instruction pamphlet issued to CAP members engaged in Operation
Drop-In. It calls for CAP members to go to an airport and record tail
numbers of 'suspicious aircraft.' But (and here's the rub!), if there
are no 'suspicious' aircraft to be seen, then they are instructed to
record tail numbers of 'random' aircraft, and submit them to the Feds!
If confronted during this activity, CAP members are instructed to
state that they are on a 'flight training mission.' How's that for
being up-front with General Aviation?"

"CAP has never been, and should not be, in the law enforcement
business. Even the CAP's sponsoring agency, the U.S. Air Force, is
prohibited by law from participating in law enforcement. CAP should
give this mission back to the DEA, Customs Service, the National Guard
(which are state militias legally authorized to perform such
functions), and the other federal, state, and local law enforcement
agencies to whom it rightly belongs."

"I found it quite disturbing that the New CAP (Civil Air Patrol)
volunteers are getting underway to start doing drug enforcement... at
our local fields. The program titled "Operation Drop-In" smacks of the
nazi era.... The directive has them flying in unannounced to public
owned airports and surveying every aircraft on the ramp. Looking for
dirty airplanes with dirty undercarriages, rock hits...sanded
propellers.... but are a few of the reasons to report the aircraft....
Reporting the N number, S/N, location and time of any aircraft THEY
DEEM suspicious to the intelligence group they'll work for located in
El Paso,TX."

"As a pilot and member of the Civil Air Patrol I welcome your inquires
and exposition of the CAP Drop-In program. I am very suspicious of the
direction in which any program of this type can lead an organization
like the Civil Air Patrol. I am afraid in its search for funds CAP is
too ready to participate in programs of which it ought be very
careful. Civil Air Patrol is very well intentioned and respected and I
am proud to be a member. I would not like to see a program such as the
Drop-In program ruin or bring into disrepute CAP's operations."

"A week or two ago I was giving our little club's C-150G a much-needed
bath. As I was washing off the only part of the plane with dirt (other
than a little "hangar dust" on the upper surfaces), the underside,
little did I realize that *had* someone from CAP's "Drop In" program
dropped in on our little airport, I just *might* have been viewed with
suspicion. Well, I was fortunate, because no one dropped in or drove
in or anything. Bottom line is that the CAP ought to stick to the
reasons that we have it in the first place: mainly search and rescue,
introduction of flying to our youth, and education of same. Period!!!"

"Caught with genuine interest your note on the CAP 'drop-in' program.
Odds are someone is going to loose some teeth over this. Reaction here
in AZ on the ground has been mild curiousity to totally ****ed. Local
commander is very sensitive to the cooperation and respect of FBOs in
carrying out CAP missions and the matter is being discussed at Wing
level. Most CAP pilots feel it's not our affair — and very bad PR.
(We've also had our funds cut to 'gas-and-oil' by the FAA. Gee, I
thought we were an aux. of the Air Force. FAA's moving into the
military, too."

"I am familiar with this program but did not directly participate.
Also, I stopped my limited association and membership with the CAP
mainly because of the 'New' attitude that some of the local senior
members adopted ('copped') when they became involved in these
'clandestine' DEA flights. Don't cry for the Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
Cry for what it is about to do to aviation."

"Ya know, every time a government gets behind and can no longer
enforce all of its own coercion, they enlist the aid of some
well-meaning yoyos who are more than willing to throw their weight
around — albeit improperly, ignorantly, and dangerously. One of the
first signs of a failing government is its willingness to get its
citizens to spy on each other. CAP is one such bunch of unwitting
accomplices to the guvments coercive mechanism. They need not be
competent. The guvment is not interested in

----------------------------------------------------------------

CAP is hardly perfect and it has its share of warts, as do all
organizations, especially those run by and for volunteers. No need to
dwell on that here. Participating in CAP activities is not inexpensive
and members often must reach deep to participate. While the flying
activities of CAP are the most visible, in most squadrons, non-pilots
are the majority and whether in support roles or as ground team
members, these individuals are essential to the fulfillment of CAP's
many missions.

In balance, the work CAP does is of a positive nature, supports the
betterment of general aviation and, by and large, is well received, if
not always appreciated. CAP members spend countless hours at often
thankless tasks to help make aviation safer and the world a better
place.

For more information on the Civil Air Patrol or to find a CAP squadron
near you, visit the CAP web site. http://www.cap.af.mil/
--------------------------------------------

The authors of this article both have a longstanding relationship with
the Civil Air Patrol.

As a cadet member of a composite squadron (senior and cadet members)
in the early 1970s, one contributor accomplished his primary training,
using the squadron's Cessna 150 and Piper Cherokee 140 at a very low
hourly rate. Once he received his Private ticket, he went on to fly
several actual SAR missions for that squadron and regularly patrolled
the local Interstate highway on holiday weekends in search of obvious
traffic problems. Later, after moving away from his hometown, he
joined another squadron, rising to become a CAP Captain and mission
pilot. Again, he flew several actual missions, plus countless practice
sorties.

The other contributor got actively involved in CAP a few years ago
because of his interest in SAR, after years of supporting CAP in
various capacities. He has been recognized by the Wing commander for
his unique contributions and flown on several missions, working
towards mission pilot status. He wears a casual uniform or Nomex
flight suit only when flying, as required by regulation, but is
otherwise not inclined to be involved in the military aspects of CAP
and has declined any promotion in rank for the same reason.

[George Patterson]

Larry Dighera wrote:
>
>>So, no -- CAP does NOT have a "drug interdiction" mission.
>
> Have you seen this:
>
> http://www.avweb.com/news/atis/184424-1.html
> July 15, 1998

Well, that *was* 7 years ago. Perhaps things have changed.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

[Larry Dighera]

On Sun, 08 May 2005 02:03:36 GMT, George Patterson
> wrote in <Yrefe.191$Ws6.177@trndny07>::

>Larry Dighera wrote:
>>
>>>So, no -- CAP does NOT have a "drug interdiction" mission.
>>
>> Have you seen this:
>>
>> http://www.avweb.com/news/atis/184424-1.html
>> July 15, 1998
>
>Well, that *was* 7 years ago. Perhaps things have changed.
>

So it would appear:

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1998/capop.html

CAP advises AOPA on Operation Drop In
July 14, 1998 — Civil Air Patrol (CAP) advised AOPA this morning
that by vote of the CAP National Board, it will discontinue
participation in the FAA Operation Drop In program.
"However good our motives and the program results were, the
perception within the flying community that CAP members were
"spying" on fellow pilots is unacceptable.

"Our roots are within general aviation, and the damage to the CAP
image and reputation has reached a point where our future
participation in the program is untenable."

Excerpt from CAP press release:
"Though we will continue to assist government agencies, as
directed by Congress, we wish to refrain from any activity that
could be construed as adversarial to general aviation," said Brig.
General James C. Bobick, CAP National Commander.

"CAP is part of the general aviation community and a large segment
of our membership is made up of general aviation pilots.
Therefore, after great reflection, CAP's National Board decided to
reconsider participation and voted to withdraw from the program."

"....CAP was able to ascertain that the primary objection to our
participation in the program was not the reconnaissance of
airports for drug trafficking, but was due to the posturing of
many very vocal individuals with one thing in common: private
citizens should not be performing these functions for a regulatory
agency.

"Civil Air Patrol members have achieved impressive results from
the Drop-In program. A number of stolen aircraft have been
recovered, according to the FAA, and several hundred aircraft
previously suspected of drug trafficking have been identified.

"However, strong opposition and the reporting of erroneous
information began to undermine CAP's ability to perform this
particular tasking, and most disturbing, its ability to
effectively conduct some other mission elements.

[Jay Honeck]

This is an interesting turn of events regarding CAP here in Iowa. At our
last meeting, our wing commander announced that the Iowa Legislature was
voting to place CAP under the control of the Iowa National Guard, whilst
still keeping it as an auxilliary of the U.S. Air Force.

This seemed like a contradictory statement, so I asked our squadron
commander to elaborate on this a bit.

Here is his answer:

********************************************
2d Lt Honeck,

This is a good question that maybe a few people have.

What Col Tomlinson meant by being "under" the Iowa
National Guard did not mean a transfer. The Civil Air
Patrol will still be the official Air Force Auxiliary.
In order to change this status would take an approval
from Headquarters USAF, Headquarters CAP, and the US
Congress.

What he was saying is that a bill has been passed in
the Iowa Congress that allows a state agency to
officially call us up and work as a representative of
the state. The State Patrol can call us to fly
sorties for traffic reports or can call us to find a
missing person. At the same time, the National Guard
can call us to fly sorties for convoy's. That is, we
can fly ahead of the convoy to spot any potential
problems or possible road blocks. The DNR can call us
to fly radio tagging missions of deer or fish or what
ever.

The type of missions are endless. The bill officially
puts CAP Iowa Wing under the Homeland Security for
Iowa. We will be under the supervision of the Iowa
National Guard.

At the same time, we are looking for $125,000 from the
state to help us support this. The bill has passed
the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House. However, the
Senate made some amendments and now the House needs to
pass it again. It looks like we will receive the full
$125,000. The money will be used for Emergency
Services.

What this means for Iowa is more emphasis on the
Operations mission of CAP. Since this is where all
the money is coming from, this will mean more missions
and more pressure to qualify aircrews and pilots.
********************************************
Jay here again. This change will certainly raise the profile of CAP in
Iowa. I'm glad that perhaps CAP will be found to be more useful, and I'm
willing to wait and see how it works out -- but I must admit that I find
this change a bit worrisome.

From my end it doesn't matter much -- I don't have time to participate in
many CAP activities anyway. But from my 14 year old son's standpoint, I
really don't know if I want him acting under the command of the National
Guard or State Patrol. We'll have to see how this all works out in
practice -- if it gets out of the legislature intact.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Dave Stadt]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:vGtfe.66706$c24.27130@attbi_s72...
> This is an interesting turn of events regarding CAP here in Iowa. At our
> last meeting, our wing commander announced that the Iowa Legislature was
> voting to place CAP under the control of the Iowa National Guard, whilst
> still keeping it as an auxilliary of the U.S. Air Force.
>
> This seemed like a contradictory statement, so I asked our squadron
> commander to elaborate on this a bit.
>
> Here is his answer:
>
> ********************************************
> 2d Lt Honeck,
>
> This is a good question that maybe a few people have.
>
> What Col Tomlinson meant by being "under" the Iowa
> National Guard did not mean a transfer. The Civil Air
> Patrol will still be the official Air Force Auxiliary.
> In order to change this status would take an approval
> from Headquarters USAF, Headquarters CAP, and the US
> Congress.
>
> What he was saying is that a bill has been passed in
> the Iowa Congress that allows a state agency to
> officially call us up and work as a representative of
> the state. The State Patrol can call us to fly
> sorties for traffic reports or can call us to find a
> missing person. At the same time, the National Guard
> can call us to fly sorties for convoy's. That is, we
> can fly ahead of the convoy to spot any potential
> problems or possible road blocks. The DNR can call us
> to fly radio tagging missions of deer or fish or what
> ever.
>
> The type of missions are endless. The bill officially
> puts CAP Iowa Wing under the Homeland Security for
> Iowa. We will be under the supervision of the Iowa
> National Guard.
>
> At the same time, we are looking for $125,000 from the
> state to help us support this. The bill has passed
> the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House. However, the
> Senate made some amendments and now the House needs to
> pass it again. It looks like we will receive the full
> $125,000. The money will be used for Emergency
> Services.
>
> What this means for Iowa is more emphasis on the
> Operations mission of CAP. Since this is where all
> the money is coming from, this will mean more missions
> and more pressure to qualify aircrews and pilots.
> ********************************************
> Jay here again. This change will certainly raise the profile of CAP in
> Iowa. I'm glad that perhaps CAP will be found to be more useful, and I'm
> willing to wait and see how it works out -- but I must admit that I find
> this change a bit worrisome.
>
> From my end it doesn't matter much -- I don't have time to participate in
> many CAP activities anyway. But from my 14 year old son's standpoint, I
> really don't know if I want him acting under the command of the National
> Guard or State Patrol. We'll have to see how this all works out in
> practice -- if it gets out of the legislature intact.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"


I wonder if "The type of missions are endless" is finite or open-ended. If
open-ended I would be very worried.