My son recruited me into the local CAP squadron shortly after I got my
private. In order to fly CAP aircraft (mostly 172s and 182s), a private
pilot must take a Form 5 check ride and pass a written test. The Form 5
check ride is to the private pilot PTS standards and must be taken once each
year after the initial check ride. After passing a Form 5 check ride, a CAP
pilot is eligible to fly CAP aircraft at and below the power and complexity
levels of the check ride aircraft.



After 200 PIC hours, a private pilot may fly cadet orientation flights. The
cadets range from about 13 to 18 years of age. CAP pays the aircraft time
for cadet orientation flights. Each cadet is allowed five glider and five
powered orientation flights. The powered flights are about one hour each.
Cadets can also train to solo gliders or powered aircraft at flight
academies. My son has soloed in CAP gliders and I hope he will solo in a 172
next summer in a flight academy. CAP flight academies are a real bargain for
primary flight training for cadets, since the instructors are all
volunteers.



Cadets can also take training for a private in CAP planes with CAP
instructors outside of the flight academies. Senior members cannot train for
their private in CAP planes, but are permitted to train for advanced ratings
in CAP planes with CAP instructors. I am presently working on my instrument
rating with a CAP CFII. A cadet or senior member student pilot must pay for
the plane, but cannot pay the instructor under CAP regulations.



After 175 PIC hours, a private pilot can train for search and rescue
missions and disaster relief missions. USAF pays the aircraft time for most
of the mission training and mission flying. I've flown about five actual
mission sorties and about twelve training mission sorties in the last year.



CAP has been a really great experience for me. I've learned a lot about
flying from instructors that are happy to teach and from the hangar flying
with pilots with far more experience than me. My kids were getting tried of
$100 hamburger flights, so CAP has given greater purpose to my flying. I
enjoy introducing cadets to flying, and I'm happy to donate my time to
search and rescue missions. I know I am a far better pilot for all the
training I have received. CAP has given me the opportunity to pursue my
avocation while doing good.



In response to your questions, as a CFI your knowledge and experience will
be welcomed by CAP and by CAP pilots. CAP members are volunteers, so you
are not required to fly, except the minimum amounts specified in the
regulations for proficiency. If you don't maintain the proficiency
requirements, you cannot fly a CAP aircraft. Your CFI time is volunteered,
so you do not have to train anyone unless you agree to do so. My CFII and I
currently fly Wednesday nights after work and on one weekend day. I plan to
fly cadet orientation flights the other weekend day.



Composite squadrons have both cadets and senior members. Squadrons may have
only cadets or senior members, or may have both seniors and cadets. I am in
a composite squadron. I think most CAP squadrons are composite squadrons,
but I don't know for sure. Kevin Dunlevy, Major, CAP





"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
om...
Has anyone on this list working with CAP. I'm a CFI and would be
willing to donate some instruction if they were interested and if it
were helpful. Is CAP interested in civilian CFIs or just those with a
military background? What does it mean that some CAP orgs are "Cadet"
and some are "composite"? As a CFI would I need to commit to a large
chunk of time as a CFI or just a couple hours a weekend? There doesn't
seem to be much info on the web, they seem to just point you to the
local groups.

-Robert