Fema heard of CAP ??

[RiverAux]

Jeez guys, don't freak out.   Did any of you check out what Aerobridge is?  http://aerobridge.org/  Based on the wording in the avweb article and similarities it shares with their web site, it probably comes from a press release from their organization.  These guys are doing the sort of stuff that CAP just isn't equipped or really capable of doing -- moving people and supplies.  Sure, they've got some single engine planes but every picture on their site is of much larger and more capable aircraft than we have - for those missions. 

They seem to be filling a niche outside of CAP. 

Now, if CAP hadn't decided to junk its member-owned aircraft program we could actually be doing something like this.  But, since we're only interested in putting hours on corporate aircraft it might be a little too outside the box. 

[a2capt]

Basically, with official aircraft sparsely located for many folks, and the continued hoops and hurdles they have put on using member owned aircraft, the very thing the whole organization was founded on, there's very little incentive to keep ones flying status with CAP current at all. In fact, if you don't own, or regularly fly similar aircraft it's almost impossible in some instances to keep current.

Perhaps FEMA sees the bottlenecks from the Fossett mission and wants to use multiple forces, too.

[Eclipse]

Now, if CAP hadn't decided to junk its member-owned aircraft program we could actually be doing something like this.  But, since we're only interested in putting hours on corporate aircraft it might be a little too outside the box.

The use of member-owned aircraft can be approved any time there is a justifiable need.  The reality is that this is rarely the case, and most members
who whine about not being able to fly their own planes want to do so for personal convenience or to try and avoid the "onerous" regulations and paperwork involved.

Rarely is their justification for needing them, especially with corporate airframes not getting the hours they could / should all over the county.

[RiverAux]

The use of member-owned aircraft can be approved any time there is a justifiable need.  T

Technically true but in practice it just isn't going to happen whether there is a need or not. 

But, my bigger point was that CAP could provide aircraft for movement of larger cargo and more personnel with member-owned aircraft but since in practice we have made it almost impossible to use member-owned planes this niche has been left open and we shouldn't whine about another organization that has been formed to fill the gap.

[Spaceman3750]

We have several empty GA8's that should be perfect for hauling cargo around...

[Check Pilot/Tow Pilot]

I signed myself and my plane up so let's see what happens.

[RADIOMAN015]

Who wants to send them an "anonymous" e-mail explain who we are and what we can do? Seriously though, PAOs should jump on this as a chance to secure an inter-agency relationship.

Well actually you have to remember that the USAF has first priority on assigning any missions to CAP aircraft.  Perhaps FEMA feels that CAP can't support the requirement and they want to see what they can get from other volunteers that have aircraft that could be strictly used to transport supplies/personnel.   

Likely this is something that National HQ Ops Chief should call FEMA on and ask them what they feel they need as far as aircraft.  How many aircraft do they need, and what is time frame for mobilization.  I would assume that aircraft would be coming from outside the disaster zone.
RM

[Eclipse]

I just signed up all ~550 CAP aircraft and had the emails sent to "noc@af.mil".

Problem solved.

[coudano]

I just signed up all ~550 CAP aircraft and had the emails sent to "noc@af.mil".

Problem solved.

seriously.

[RRLE]

FEMA is a part of DHS. So is the USCG. The USCG has the USCG Auxiliary which has an aviation program and FEMA bypassed them also.

Many of Aux aircraft are twin engine and are used to transport USCG officers and some logistics work.

[nesagsar]

The only time I have seen FEMA acknowledge CAP was in the ESF#9 online course. I have seen CAP mentioned in DHS-NOC reports for flood recon though.

[Check Pilot/Tow Pilot]

It could be that FEMA is anticipating that in the event of a disaster most of the USCG and CAP planes will be utilized.

BTW, I registered my plane and received a response within a couple of hours.  I also offered to assist the organization.

[ZigZag911]

Possibly CAP aircraft are all ready "spoken for' in national level planning...perhaps by AFNORTH???

[BillB]

I can see a possible problem with CAP aircraft assigned missions by AFNORTH or Tyndall AFB and mixing in a bunch of untrained FEMA pilots and aircraft into the same airspace. Would there be any control coordination?

[Flying Pig]

"untrained FEMA pilots"?  Untrained by whos standards?  Are non-CAP pilots out there flying around crashing into each other or something.  It would be interesting to see who views who as untrained 

[FW]

In the event of a major DR mission, any available assets are welcome. All states have plans which have "reserve" capabilities calling for air assets from the GA community.  In Pa., the wing commander is also the deputy administrator of SARDA; reporting directly to the Lt. Governor.  The deputy is in charge of coordinating GA assets (aircraft and aircrew) to augment the mission.
 
FEMA also would like to have such a capability.  CAP is already part of the picture.  From the Mississippi floods of the early 90s, Katrina and, Deepwater Horizon, to today, our aircraft and crews play a major roll in assisting FEMA and the affected communities.  FEMA has always counted on CAP's resources.  So has any state EMA needing our assistance. 

[Check Pilot/Tow Pilot]

In the event of a major DR mission, any available assets are welcome. All states have plans which have "reserve" capabilities calling for air assets from the GA community.  In Pa., the wing commander is also the deputy administrator of SARDA; reporting directly to the Lt. Governor.  The deputy is in charge of coordinating GA assets (aircraft and aircrew) to augment the mission.
 
FEMA also would like to have such a capability.  CAP is already part of the picture.  From the Mississippi floods of the early 90s, Katrina and, Deepwater Horizon, to today, our aircraft and crews play a major roll in assisting FEMA and the affected communities.  FEMA has always counted on CAP's resources.  So has any state EMA needing our assistance.

Well said Col Weiss :clap: :clap:

[AbnMedOps]

It's too bad that CAP has become so distant from the civil aviation community that this is all even an issue. Back in the founding days of legend, just prior to WWII, CAP was specifically set up for this type of thing.The "movers and shakers", the folks who had access to those complex multi-engine amphibians and all the rest, brought their hugely expensive assets to the volunteer effort, under auspices of the Civil Air Patrol, and ran some some fairly complex operations.

Over time, for several reasons (you pick..), CAP has lost the focus of being THE operational volunteer aviation force. That giant sucking sound is a vacuum, and nature abhors a vacuum. So, the void becomes filled by Airbridge, by Young Eagles, by Aviation Explorers, by Angel Flight, etc, etc.

Face it, the serious minded people and corporations of today that are interested in making available their aircraft and crews, and the agencies that would call upon them, are NOT impressed with a marginal organization that appears inwardly self-obsessed with uniforms, logos, politics and purges, and all the rest.

So much potential, so wasted.

[EMT-83]

Face it, the serious minded people and corporations of today that are interested in making available their aircraft and crews, and the agencies that would call upon them, are NOT impressed with a marginal organization that appears inwardly self-obsessed with uniforms, logos, politics and purges, and all the rest.

Many members of this forum are obsessed with those issues. The general membership, probably not so much.

[FW]

I just got back from an AOPA event where CAP was a major "player".  It seems AOPA is proud to be associated with CAP.  And, it was nice meeting Mr. Fuller.

Serious minded people are very impressed with what the members of Civil Air Patrol do every day.
However, we can't be all things to all people.  And, if a major disaster strikes, we can only do what we are capable of.  FEMA must call on every available asset it can and, I see no problem with them creating a database to call on if needed. 

At the local level, CAP partners with EAA and BSA to further the cause of GA.  We have great partnerships, IMHO.  I would love to explore better ways to interact.  Personally, I am an active Angel Flight pilot and, am proud to donate my aircraft and services to transport patients for care.

Any perceived vacuum gets filled; not just the way you think it should. 

Civil Air Patrol explores any new potential and, if we can handle it, we take advantage and exploit it.  However, we are not in the position to "call for volunteers" in an emergency.  We can not screen and train aircrews in days to fly our missions.  We don't have the authority to "cover" non members who perform missions for CAP.  It's not what we do.  And, I can live with that.