New Senior member/pilot - which direction?

[Smoothice]

Hello,
New senior member here. Just wondering if anyone had advise on which direction to take my flying to: 
I have almost 400 total time, Mostly in 172's
I have just about 225 PIC hours
I am NOT instrument rated (yet)

Which would be more logical, Mission pilot or Orientation Pilot? Which direction will get me flying sooner. I am current in FAA reg's.

Thanks!

[WT]

With more than 200 Hrs PIC, you would qualify to be a Cadet Orientation Pilot.

I would suggest you complete a CAPF 5 (Form 5 checkride) in a C-172, then fly some orientation flights for cadets.  This is one of the great opportunities of CAP.  It is great to see the expression of a cadet the first time they are actually flying an airplane!

Before you do that, you will need to study CAPR (CAP Regulation) 60-1.  That is the governing regulation concerning most flying in CAP.

Also, no reason why you can't start ALSO training to be a Mission Pilot.  This usually takes most pilots 6 mos - 1 year to complete.

I would suggest you find a senior pilot and talk to them about the path to each of these, and ask them to be a mentor to help guide you through.

[bosshawk]

WT has given you some good advice.  If you live in a Wing that has 172s, stay with that airplane.  If your Wing has 182s, suggest that you get a Form 5 in a 172, then do your Mission Pilot training and become a MP.  After that, try to get some upgrade training to the 182.

Remember, nothing happens rapidly in CAP(except for uniform posts on CAPtalk), get that mentor and go from there.

[Thrashed]

I'm an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI with 13,000 hours and I've never even seen a CAP airplane. 

Good luck.

[SoCalCAPOfficer]

I'm an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI with 13,000 hours and I've never even seen a CAP airplane. 

Good luck.

Come to Hemet, California and join my squadron, I will get you in an airplane very quickly.

[DG]

I'm an ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI with 13,000 hours and I've never even seen a CAP airplane. 

Good luck.

You need to talk to the right people.

[Thrashed]

The problem is that there are no aircraft around.  None in my group.  I'm the only "pilot" in the squad.  The SM's really don't know anything.  I joined for my kids in the cadet program, so if I never fly I'm fine with that.  I am a professional pilot, so I don't need to fly more.  I would like to do O flights for the kids and many want to learn to fly.  I'd instruct for free. 

[Al Sayre]

Then bump that up to your squadron and group commanders.  Get your CAPF-5 and get those cadets flying.

[Thrashed]

I haven't been too successful going up to any level.  Most don't have any way to contact.  Those who do, do not respond.

[Thrashed]

Remember, nothing happens rapidly in CAP(except for uniform posts on CAPtalk), get that mentor and go from there.

That's the truth.  Did my CPPT and level one stuff last spring and still nothing.  None of it's posted as complete on eservices.

[Eclipse]

Remember, nothing happens rapidly in CAP(except for uniform posts on CAPtalk), get that mentor and go from there.

That's the truth.  Did my CPPT and level one stuff last spring and still nothing.  None of it's posted as complete on eservices.

This is most certainly a simple administrative issue.  At what point does personal initiative come into play here?  Without Level 1 and CPPT posted you can't do anything, nothing with cadets, no ES, you couldn't fly a CAP plane even if one was near you any way.

How long until you get it fixed yourself?  If your unit CC seems stymied by the issue, move up the chain or go to NHQ directly.  What's the point of calling yourself a member if you can't do anything?

And if you're operating in any staff position whatsoever without Level 1 and CPPT being completed, not only are you violating CAP regulations, but you are putting both yourself and the corporation at risk.

[Thrashed]

I agree 100%.  I ask my commander that every week.  What else can I do?  I've done everything, filled out the paperwork myself, and handed it to them in person.  I can't "fix" it myself.  I have to go through the squad commander for level 1.

[EMT-83]

You go through PDO for Level 1; he's the guy who submits it to NHQ.

[Al Sayre]

Fill out a CAPF 11 with the information about when and where you completed the material, sign on the appropriate line, place it in front of your CC for signature, FAX to phone # on form at NHQ, wait 2-3 working days...Done!

[Pylon]

If true, it unfortunately points out a complete failure of leadership in Trash's unit and perhaps Group; a failure to encourage volunteers to give of their time and to help and support them in participating actively in their program.  Yes, sometimes you have to be a self-starter in CAP -- but how many people do we lose, or perhaps just not maximize their potential contributions, because everyone has to be their own PDO, Personnel officer, do-it-yourself OJT, etc, ad nauseum?


On topic, if you can get set up as a Cadet Orientation Flight pilot, I think you'll enjoy it.  At least in my area there don't always seem to be enough o-flight qualified pilots. And as mentioned, giving a cadet a memorable o-flight is a great way to plant the seed that will encourage future aviators and aerospace leaders.

[Eclipse]

Fill out a CAPF 11 with the information about when and where you completed the material, sign on the appropriate line, place it in front of your CC for signature, FAX to phone # on form at NHQ, wait 2-3 working days...Done!

What he said...

[Thrashed]

You go through PDO for Level 1; he's the guy who submits it to NHQ.

Don't have one.  Actually, I am the new one. ?

[Thrashed]

Fill out a CAPF 11 with the information about when and where you completed the material, sign on the appropriate line, place it in front of your CC for signature, FAX to phone # on form at NHQ, wait 2-3 working days...Done!

I'll try this.  Thanks.  They said they already faxed it, but I can do it again.

[DC]

Fill out a CAPF 11 with the information about when and where you completed the material, sign on the appropriate line, place it in front of your CC for signature, FAX to phone # on form at NHQ, wait 2-3 working days...Done!

I'll try this.  Thanks.  They said they already faxed it, but I can do it again.

National is pretty good about processing paperwork that gets faxed to them in a timely manner. I'd give it another try.

[Thrashed]

If true, it unfortunately points out a complete failure of leadership in Trash's unit and perhaps Group; a failure to encourage volunteers to give of their time and to help and support them in participating actively in their program.  Yes, sometimes you have to be a self-starter in CAP -- but how many people do we lose, or perhaps just not maximize their potential contributions, because everyone has to be their own PDO, Personnel officer, do-it-yourself OJT, etc, ad nauseum?


On topic, if you can get set up as a Cadet Orientation Flight pilot, I think you'll enjoy it.  At least in my area there don't always seem to be enough o-flight qualified pilots. And as mentioned, giving a cadet a memorable o-flight is a great way to plant the seed that will encourage future aviators and aerospace leaders.

I have to be a self starter.  There really is no SM program in my squad or group.  Two active SM's in my squad, with another 4 trying to get CPPT and Foundations submitted.
I've done ICS-100, GES-116, GES-117 parts 1-3, ORM Basic, ORM Intermediate, Annual powered exam, Cadet O pilot with ROTC, Skills Eval, Aircraft ground ahndling, and AEPSM/Yeager.  I sent in for the CAP senior officer course material.  I have all my uniforms ready to go.  I have no grade yet, of course. Mission skills put me in as a Capt, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm not sitting around waiting for stuff to just happen.  I can only do so much.

I have 4200 hours as instructor and have taught many kids how to fly.  I would love to do O flights.  My daughter has been in with me since spring and has not seen a plane either.  Actually, she has.  I rent one and take her up.  I also paid for her glider demo flight.