New member (almost) looking for syllabus

Started by cj cake, November 21, 2019, 04:48:25 PM

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cj cake

Hello,

I am a new Private Pilot interested in joining CAP. I am also a community college instructor and a High School teacher. I teach aviation topics, primarily FAA Airframe and Powerplant. I also teach FAR Part 107 drone classes and private pilot ground school. I have contacted my local Composite Squadron and spoke briefly with their Personnel Officer. I want to get involved with CAP as much as time allows. I was given the time, date, and location for the next meeting. Unfortunately, because of Thanksgiving and an award ceremony the week following, I will not be able to talk to anyone from the squadron for about three weeks.

What I am looking for is some type of syllabus or other document that outlines all the required/recommended training as I work my way up to mission pilot. I am a busy person and I have a little time to orient myself and start reading any information I will need to start while I wait for the next meeting. I was told that I would be working on the "scanner" qualifications first. But the conversation was brief and I am sure I don't remember everything said.

Also, most documents and training materials can be found online these days. I already ran across a whole list of downloadable documents from the CAP website. What should i be reading first? Where can I get a copy?

Thanks
CJ

Eclipse

#1
Here is the curriculum for the Mission Aircrew tasks: http://nesa.cap.gov/mas-curriculum-2
You're looking for the "Aircrew & Flightline Task Guide" and the "Mission Scanner Task Guide".

These will have details and information in regards to the entry-level qualifications for aircrew.

Some things to be aware of..

Most units require you attend a number of meetings before being considered by the membership board,
the best practice is three (which is the requirement on the cadet side), but it varies for senior members
based on unit).

The materials are open and available to the general public, but you won't be able to start getting
formally trained, or tasks evaluated until after you have successfully completed your membership submission,
FBI background check, and completed some online training and NDAs.

You can actually get a check ride immediately (after membership is approved, but before BGC to qualify as a VFR pilot
which grants you the ability to rent CAP aircraft to fly mission profiles for proficiency and build hours.
You have to have at least 175 PIC to begin training as a Mission Pilot (after your Scanner is done), and 250 200 PIC
before you can complete Mission pilot.

To qualify as a Transport pilot (move aircraft and things for missions and MX), you'll need 50 hours cross country to
start, and 100 PIC to get to fly independently.

Checkrides and evaluations have to be performed by approved Stan Eval and SET personnel, and your ability to
get those completed will be a combination of your availability, their availability, your proximity and availability to an
appropriate aircraft.

Based on the OP, you won't be an approved member until probably mid-late January.

For the average member able to attend weekly meetings and some weekend activities, you can expect 6-months to 1-year
before you are fully qualified as a Scanner, though must of that is dependent on your available time and flexibility.

By the time you get FAM/PREP completed for Scanner, you'll be well invested enough to understand the progression to
pilot and other duties.

The CAP uSAS program is in its infancy, and if you are proximity to the issued UAV in your wing, you could well
be a part of that burgeoning program.

"That Others May Zoom"

jeders

Quote from: Eclipse on November 21, 2019, 05:09:21 PM
You have to have at least 175 PIC to begin training as a Mission Pilot (after your Scanner is done), and 250 PIC
before yo can complete Mission pilot.

200 PIC for MP, not 250.
If you are confident in you abilities and experience, whether someone else is impressed is irrelevant. - Eclipse


cj cake

Thank you for the detailed reply.

This is all good information. I am unfamiliar with most of the acronyms (NDA's, BGC, MX, SET), but I can figure it out with a little digging.

The squadron I am looking at seems fairly large and active, but they are about an hour away. They have an aircraft assigned to them. I am hoping this will allow me to work a little faster. The closest squadron is actually only half that distance, but they do not seem to be as organized and busy. I will actually visit both before I decide to join. I may find more opportunity to contribute in the smaller squadron.

Spam


May I congratulate you on such a fantastic attitude expressed in your last comment!

Welcome!

V/r
Spam



Eclipse

Quote from: cj cake on November 21, 2019, 05:30:34 PM
The squadron I am looking at seems fairly large and active, but they are about an hour away. They have an aircraft assigned to them. I am hoping this will allow me to work a little faster. The closest squadron is actually only half that distance, but they do not seem to be as organized and busy. I will actually visit both before I decide to join. I may find more opportunity to contribute in the smaller squadron.

This is a good plan.

As to aircraft, yo can actually fly from wherever planes are kept, so once you're a member, if there happens to
be aircraft somewhere closer, you can schedule that one.

My wing has several aircraft which are hangared at airports that don't have units, so you would not know it until
you're a member and get the locations and other details.


"That Others May Zoom"

Holding Pattern

Quote from: cj cake on November 21, 2019, 05:30:34 PM
Thank you for the detailed reply.

This is all good information. I am unfamiliar with most of the acronyms (NDA's, BGC, MX, SET), but I can figure it out with a little digging.

The squadron I am looking at seems fairly large and active, but they are about an hour away. They have an aircraft assigned to them. I am hoping this will allow me to work a little faster. The closest squadron is actually only half that distance, but they do not seem to be as organized and busy. I will actually visit both before I decide to join. I may find more opportunity to contribute in the smaller squadron.

NDA: Non-Disclosure Agreement
BGC: BackGround Check
SET: Skills Evaluator Trainer
MX: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Eclipse


"That Others May Zoom"

etodd

 Squadrons vary widely. The number and type of CFI's in a squadron vary widely as well.  I'm very fortunate to be there in the one that I am. Everyone made it so easy. I could do so much of the work online as well. I joined in September. By the following March I had completed mission scanner, mission observer, airborne photographer, and mission pilot. It can be done rather quickly if you dive into it, work hard, and the CFIs like you. Buy lunch after every flight. 🤣
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

Fester

1stLt, CAP
Squadron CC
Group CPO
Eaker - 1996