Pilots Needed for Civil Air Patrol!

Pilots: How would you like to use your skill and abilities to serve your community, develop friendships with a team of dedicated volunteers, and gain opportunities to get more flight time? If this sounds good to you, Long Beach Senior Squadron 150, Civil Air Patrol would like to encourage you to join our team! 

Photo Credit: 2d Lt Rommel Anacan

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) owns the largest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft (primarily Cessna 172s and 182s) in the United States and we use them to perform missions in emergency services, disaster relief, homeland security, cadet orientation flights, counter drug operations, training exercises and proficiency flights. 

How do I become a CAP pilot?

There are different levels of pilot qualifications in Civil Air Patrol, all with their own specific requirements. In all honestly, the road to becoming a pilot is not an instantaneous one…but it is worthwhile. 

Here are some of the basic qualifications to be a CAP pilot (and yes, these can change!)

Be an active CAP member at least 17 years of age

Possess a valid FAA private, commercial or airline transport pilot certificate

Possess a class III or higher medical certificate

Possess a current flight review IAW FAR 61.56

Satisfactorily complete a CAP flight check

Once you’ve met the minimum requirements you will then need to meet the specific requirements for the different types of missions that pilots fly in CAP.

Photo Credit: 2d Lt Rommel Anacan

Do I have to pay to fly?

One of the benefits of being a pilot for Civil Air Patrol is that there may be opportunities for you to receive reimbursements for some of your flying! Keep in mind, reimbursed flying is NOT available when first becoming qualified to fly in CAP. As a new member, you will be responsible for aircraft fuel and a flat rate per hour fee. This applies to the instructional flights one should have prior to taking the flight evaluation to become a CAP pilot, the evaluation itself and all flying after that until becoming mission qualified. 

(We told you…it’s not an instantaneous journey! But, remember it IS worth it!)

Photo by 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan

Once qualified as a Transport Mission Pilot you will be eligible for reimbursed flying during scheduled training missions and actual missions. Other opportunities to participate in reimbursed flying occur when you qualify as a Search and Rescue/Disaster Relief Pilot or Cadet Orientation Pilot. 

Because CAP is a non-profit corporation, you may be able to deduct expenses incurred as a result of your membership in Civil Air Patrol as a charitable contribution. (Please check with your tax advisor for more details.)

What is the benefit to me?

CAP is composed entirely of volunteers who have chosen to serve our communities. As a CAP pilot you may find yourself using your unique skills and talents to help find a downed aircraft, assist the US Air Force on a training mission, take a cadet up on his/her first flight in an aircraft, and more!

SAVE the DATE! Aircraft Instrument Familiarization Training 09 March, 2017

SAVE THE DATE!! Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron 150 will be conducting aircraft instrument familiarization training for members (and guests) during our weekly meeting on 09 March, 2017. Aircraft familiarization is important not just for pilots but for all aircrew members including Mission Observers, Mission Scanners, Airborne Photographers etc.

Instrument panel of CAP Cessna 206
(Photo by: 2d Lt. Rommel Anacan and courtesy of Capt. Gary Mathieson)

2d Lt. Steven Schock will be leading the discussion on this very important topic. For all Mission Scanner trainees this training will cover the essentials of Task P-2017, which can be found in the Aircrew and Flightline Task Guide.

If you are a pilot, this will be a great review. If you desire to be a pilot, this will be a great foundational training. If you are an aircrew member, you'll find this knowledge helpful, and if you're none of the above, you'll find all of this fascinating!

Handheld Radio Communications Training 16 February, 2017

This week Squadron 150's meeting will be focused on portable handheld radios. Squadron Commander Capt. David Powell will be leading a discussion on what handheld radios for Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members should consider procuring and the effective operation of those radios for members.

If you're interested in communications, we invite you to join us on Thursday 16 February, 2017 at our HQ at Los Alamitos JFTB.

Mission Radio Operator (MRO) Training 09 February, 2017

Squadron 150 will be conducting Mission Radio Operator (MRO) training during our weekly meeting on 09 February, 2017 at Squadron 150 HQ at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. MROs are needed to establish communications at a mission base and to facilitate communications support to units in the field (both aircrews and ground-based teams.)

Maj. John Frerichs, South Coast Group 7 Communications Director, will be conducting this essential training for members seeking MRO qualifications and for those that are simply interested in learning more about what is required in Civil Air Patrol (CAP) communications.

If you're interested in learning more about CAP communications we invite you to our weekly squadron meeting at 3976 Constitution Avenue at Los Alamitos JFTB.