I can't pick a NCSA

[Pulsar]

I know all the NCSAs haven't come out on the website yet but which ones are good ones to go to. I am interested in aviation and flying more than the military. Which ones do you recommend applying for? I am looking for ones under $475. What activities do you do at certain ones? /what exactly is Space Command Fam course? --Or Undergraduate Pilot Training Fam Course? Any experiences from any ncsas? I am <16 so not all are available.

[Peeka]

More info about UPTFC here--> http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=13139.msg237943#msg237943

And here--> http://www.ncsas.com/?undergraduate_pilot_training_fam_course&show=career_fair&careerFairID=1

And here--> http://capnhq.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/652/~/specialized-undergraduate-pilot-training-familiarization-course

UPTFC is the NCSA that I am planning on going to...   

[Pulsar]

More info about UPTFC here--> http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=13139.msg237943#msg237943

And here--> http://www.ncsas.com/?undergraduate_pilot_training_fam_course&show=career_fair&careerFairID=1

And here--> http://capnhq.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/652/~/specialized-undergraduate-pilot-training-familiarization-course

UPTFC is the NCSA that I am planning on going to...   

I would really like to apply for this one. Is it always held in MS? I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline) 

[Eclipse]

I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

...b..e...c...a...u...s...e...

...he asked knowing the answer would be "complex".

[Peeka]

I would really like to apply for this one. Is it always held in MS? I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline) 

There is/was? one at Laughlin AFB, Texas.

[NC Hokie]

You can find even more info about SUPTFC here: http://suptfc.com/

My daughter graduated with Class 13-01, and I can tell you that you had better be prepared to work your tail off if you want to succeed there.

[Zorro]

My daughter graduated with Class 13-01, and I can tell you that you had better be prepared to work your tail off if you want to succeed there.

It was a great pleasure to work with your daughter in Gombey Flight, Sir.

I graduated from SUPTFC-MS Class 13-01 as well, and I can tell you first hand, College work is usually easier. But if you want to get into military aviation, especially in the USAF, I cannot encourage you enough to go. Even if you do not plan on becoming a pilot, you should apply (I want to do ATC). It is very academically challenging, but do not let that scare you off. It was the highlight of my time as a cadet, and I would LOVE to go back and relive that week.

[Brad]

I would really like to apply for this one. Is it always held in MS? I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

CAPR 76-1. Talk to your senior members and if there is enough of an interest for this NCSA from your squadron/group/wing, military travel to it could possibly be arranged, since it is held on an Air Force base.

[PHall]

I would really like to apply for this one. Is it always held in MS? I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

CAPR 76-1. Talk to your senior members and if there is enough of an interest for this NCSA from your squadron/group/wing, military travel to it could possibly be arranged, since it is held on an Air Force base.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Military airlift, with the "budget" we now have?

What have you been smoking?

[Brad]

That's why I said possibly, heh. I figure it probably won't fly, no pun intended, but never hurts to ask. The planets may miraculously align and it could actually get approved.

[Pulsar]

I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

...b..e...c...a...u...s...e...

...he asked knowing the answer would be "complex".

tooooooo expensive.  :clap:

[Eclipse]

I would really like to apply for this one. Is it always held in MS? I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

CAPR 76-1. Talk to your senior members and if there is enough of an interest for this NCSA from your squadron/group/wing, military travel to it could possibly be arranged, since it is held on an Air Force base.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Military airlift, with the "budget" we now have?

What have you been smoking?

O-rides and airlift still happen, though airlift has been a 90% "no" for a long time.

Crews still do regular proficiency flying and CAP peole make nice ballast.  The problem with airlift is you can't depend on it
enough to be sure you can get home.

[Eclipse]

I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

...b..e...c...a...u...s...e...

...he asked knowing the answer would be "complex".

tooooooo expensive.  :clap:

Priced a drive lately?  Airfare is cheap in the grand scheme.
Depending on the point-to-point, you should be able to find a PW-MS flight for about $300 round trip.
Driving a vehicle that gets 25MPG is going to cost about $240.  That's at $3.00pg. When prices go back
up at NCSA time, it'll be close to a wash.

[Pulsar]

I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

...b..e...c...a...u...s...e...

...he asked knowing the answer would be "complex".

tooooooo expensive.  :clap:

Priced a drive lately?  Airfare is cheap in the grand scheme.
Depending on the point-to-point, you should be able to find a PW-MS flight for about $300 round trip.
Driving a vehicle that gets 25MPG is going to cost about $240.  That's at $3.00pg. When prices go back
up at NCSA time, it'll be close to a wash.

really? Another thing, would I be able to travel alone? (I wouldn't be aloud though.) Or do you have to be like 16?

[Eclipse]

really? Another thing, would I be able to travel alone? (I wouldn't be aloud though.) Or do you have to be like 16?

Well, if you travel "aloud", they probably will kick you off the plane.

However, yes, you can travel alone as an unaccompanied minor.
Most airlines require you to be at least 12.

[PHall]

I would really like to apply for this one. Is it always held in MS? I live in pa so that's a long drive. (We don't do airline)

CAPR 76-1. Talk to your senior members and if there is enough of an interest for this NCSA from your squadron/group/wing, military travel to it could possibly be arranged, since it is held on an Air Force base.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Military airlift, with the "budget" we now have?

What have you been smoking?

O-rides and airlift still happen, though airlift has been a 90% "no" for a long time.

Crews still do regular proficiency flying and CAP peole make nice ballast.  The problem with airlift is you can't depend on it
enough to be sure you can get home.

CAP people are passengers, which is a whole another approval process that you have to jump through.

Trust me on this one Bob, I've done it. Cost me a bunch of favors and a "don't ever do this again" from my Chief of Current Ops guy.
And this guy was a former cadet too.

[SarDragon]

really? Another thing, would I be able to travel alone? (I wouldn't be aloud though.) Or do you have to be like 16?

Well, if you travel "aloud", they probably will kick you off the plane.

However, yes, you can travel alone as an unaccompanied minor.
Most airlines require you to be at least 12.

My girls traveled as UMs at ages 8, 6, 6 - LAS-SAN; 10, 8, 8 - LAS-SJC-SAN; 12, 10, 10 - LAS-MCO-LAS; and 15, 13, 13 - PDX-SAN-PDX. Travel years were '86, '88, '90, and '93. Easy-peasy all four times.

Dunno what the rules and requirements are these days.

I've got to agree that flying will likely be cheaper than driving. I don't know where you live, so I used Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on one end, and Columbus, MS at the other end.

PHL-GTR (RT) airfare is $372. Gas for one driving RT is @ $210 (800+ mi, 25 mpg, $3.25/gal, 14+ hrs one way).

PIT-GTR (RT) airfare is $427. Gas is @ $260 (1000+ mi, 25 mpg, $3.25/gal, 16+ hrs one way).

You haven't said what your driver(s) will do for the time you are at the activity, but that is an additional consideration.

[NC Hokie]

tooooooo expensive.  :clap:

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you really want something, you find ways to make it happen.

My daughter knew that we didn't have the money to send her to SUPT, so she wound up raising the money by asking friends and family for donations and by selling candy to people in the neighborhood and other places that she visited regularly.  Strangers even gave her donations because they overheard her telling someone else what she was selling the candy for!  Another cadet I know paid for powered flight academy one year by asking for donations from groups like the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the EAA, and the local Rotary Clubs.

Trust me, there are plenty of adults that want to help you achieve your dreams.  You just have to find them and convince them that you are worth it.

[CAPglider792]

There is a difference between not having the money to go somewhere and not giving the effort. Sometimes the circumstances just don't allow for it, and it is beyond your control. I hate it when I hear people say how " Money isn't a good reason not to go to ..." when it is actually one of the main reasons that determines whether attendance is possible. Please be realistic and realize the difference between determination and having a dream vs. it not being a reality due to circumstances out of the individuals control.

[Eclipse]

There is a difference between not having the money to go somewhere and not giving the effort. Sometimes the circumstances just don't allow for it, and it is beyond your control. I hate it when I hear people say how " Money isn't a good reason not to go to ..." when it is actually one of the main reasons that determines whether attendance is possible. Please be realistic and realize the difference between determination and having a dream vs. it not being a reality due to circumstances out of the individuals control.

That's certainly fair, but life is choice.

I've had more then a few conversations with parents claiming poverty while leaning on their Escalade with a $4 latte in one hand and the latest iWhatever in the other and complaining their Pay-per-view bill was too high this month to afford encampment (etc.).

That or "Have you seen what it costs to play away hockey these days? Between that and Road Soccer, Dish Network, and our vacation, times are really tough.  Can the unit donate anything."

(Not saying that's Pulsar's case, just sayin'...)

There's always a way for someone willing to go 2 extra miles to get there.