cfiaime@ihnp4.UUCP (Jeff Williams) (03/26/84)
Several people have expressed an interest in more information about Civil Air Patrol after an article that I wrote earlier. Rather than make individual replies, I thought that a general reply might be in order. Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force. As such, we have the right, and duty, to participate in some Air Force missions. More about that later. There are three basic missions of the CAP. First, CAP is the agency which does most of the inland search and rescue in the United States. On search and rescue missions we are on Air Force orders from the Air Rescue and Coordination Center at Scott AFB, Illinois. In the event of injury on a CAP mission, we are treated at Air Force installations. The second mission is the cadet program. In the cadet program, young adults 13 to 21 years old are taught the basics of leadership, aerospace, and morals. The CAP cadet program is not unlike the Boy Scouts in many respects, but I think (opinion, no flames please) that CAP has more to offer. Yes, the cadets do learn military drill and ceremony. They do have the opportunity to spend a week or so on an Air Force base each summer learning about the military. They also have the opportunity to learn to fly, go on trips, travel world- wide, attend survival schools, ride in military aircraft, and the like. The third mission is aerospace education. CAP is tasked with teaching the public about aerospace power, and the use of that aerospace power. Many schools use CAP prepaed materials to teach basics of aerospace. In addition, many educators have the chance to go on CAP sponsored trips or workshops (for credit) to become more acquainted with aerospace in general. There are two classes of member, senior and cadet. The senior members run the local unit, called a squadron. Senior members also have many training opportunites, schools that they may attend, missions they may participate in. CAP is a nation wide organization, with the National Headquarters at Maxell AFB, Alabama. Several states make up a region, and each state makes up a wing. There are 8 regions and 52 wings (including Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.). Each wing may include groups and will include squadrons, the lowest level of discrete organization. Typically, each wing headquarters is located at a military installation in each state, however there are exceptions, such as Illinois and Iowa. The cost varies by state, because of state dues. Typically dues are around $30 per year. Many squadrons also charge dues of around $1.00 per week to cover some of the local expenses. If you are a private pilot, or higher, with over 200 hours, you may qualify as a mission pilot, and fly cadets on orientation flights. If you have under 200 hours, you may still fly CAP aircraft, but not on missions. There are many jobs in CAP other than pilot, however. Typically, there are 15 people on the ground for every aircrew. If you want more information, please contact me. Jeff Williams AT&T Bell Laboratories - Naperville, IL ihnp4!cfiaime
falk@uiucuxc.UUCP (03/28/84)
#R:ihnp4:-56700:uiucuxc:10800003:000:1529
uiucuxc!falk Mar 27 14:37:00 1984
I was in the Civil Air Patrol for over 10years in the Milwaukee area and
I highly recommend it. It is not for everyone, but for those who have the
interest (aerospace, search and rescue, etc.) and the time, it can be a
highly rewarding experience. For all of its benefits, it is not a "free
ride"... you do have to put some time and effort in; but if you do the
rewards can be great.
I got my pilots license for free through CAP via flight scholarships that
they offered. I also used to give tours of KC-97 and KC-135 (refueling planes)
and C-119 and C-130 (flying boxcars) at the Air Nat'l Guard at Mitchell field
for a reward of being given flights in each of the aircrafts. I went on an
actual refueling mission in which I was able to sit near the "boom operator"
and watch him refuel an F-4 going 250mph! In order to work on the search &
rescues teams, there was alot of training that went on (First Aid, Survival,
etc.). I also have gotten rides on several different AF helicopters and other
planes. Leadership and general (on the ground) aerospace training was also
very useful--the leadership training has actually proven useful in "real
life". Not only that, but there were alot of social activities and I just
generally had a lot of fun.
You can't just walk in on a meeting and expect to be offered rides on planes,
but if you are willing to put a little into it, you can get a lot out of it.
-Connie Falk Milosevich
(uiucdcs!uiucuxc!falk)notes@harpo.UUCP (08/22/84)
#N::35400003:000:138 !mls Aug 21 08:12:00 1984 Has anybody had any experience in the Civil Air Patrol? I am a private pilot looking for excuses to go flying. Irv McNair ATT Bell Labs