CAP Flying

CAP Fleet Adds New Aircraft December15,2023

The seven aircraft will join a fleet of 540 Cessnas owned and operated by CAP — the world’s largest Cessna piston aircraft operator.  In addition, CAP awarded Textron Aviation a contract in September for the further acquisition of 14 Skyhawk 172s and one Skylane 182T.

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 preform maintenance.  The Air Force expects all CAP members to respect the aircraft that we’ve been provided and treat them as your own.  CAP’s fleet of aircraft primarily consists of C-172, C-182, C-206, GA-8, all of which you could get checked out in.

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 through, 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 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 web site at: Pilot Onboarding Pamphlet

If you haven’t already, the first thing you need to do is find a unit in your local area.  You can find a unit and point of contact by going to the “Join” tab located on the top ribbon of the www.gocivilairpatrol.com web site.

Below is a listing of the primary pilot qualifications. By clicking on the qualification link, you will be taken to a page that will step you through the qualification requirements.

• VFR Pilot

• Transportation Mission Pilot

• Orientation Pilot

• Glider Pilot

• Mission Pilot

In addition to the list above you could possibly become a check pilot or check pilot examiner.