Balloons and Gliders

[CyberNorris]

Just received word that CAP NHQ has ended the balloon program and suspended glider ops.

NHQ is putting together a team to assess how to revamp the glider program, with a report due in Feb 2025. There will be no glider academies for 2025. The glider program will likely survive with some changes.

[Shuman 14]

I don't know how to feel about that.

I'm not really involved with either ballons or gliders, but I always thought it was cool that CAP had those capabilities.

Will their loss affect our mission?

Balloons, not so much. These days they were more of a recruiting and PR tool. Nothing like a big floating billboard in CAP Colors and Logos drifting majestically by overhead.

Gliders, operationally, not much use, but I think they were/are a big part of teaching cadets the love of flying and an aspect/tool of aerospace education.

[CyberNorris]

Had a chance to discuss gliders with a member of region staff at a recent wing conference. He was very positive that the glider program would be back. The working group is considering all options for ensuring the glider program is safe and effective for all. Yes, new gliders are high on the list of considerations. The three that we most recently saw are all down for significant maintenance. Two were delivered for maintenance just days before the freeze.

Gliders are a great opportunity to get cadets more orientation flights and really teach the love of flying. A day of glider operations is also more visible to the community where they are flying than a Cessna. Many former cadets who are now active duty pilots credit CAP gliders with making them better pilots.

[Bloodhound]

They have axed the glider program.   

Leaders,
After careful review and thoughtful deliberation, as well as evaluation and consultation with the Board of Governors, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue our national glider program.
This decision was not made lightly. Over the past eight months, the Glider Program Working Group conducted a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the program's maintenance, safety, instructor availability, fleet condition, and alignment with Civil Air Patrol's mission. We are thankful for the challenging work they did. While multiple options were considered to sustain operations, each would require significant additional resources, funding, and authority not currently available.
Our aging fleet, limited instructor pipeline, and increasing maintenance demands have made it clear the Civil Air Patrol Glider Program is no longer sustainable. Based on the data, the ability to reach less than 6% of cadets annually, and the costs to recapitalize, the most responsible course is an intentional, well-planned deactivation that preserves safety, honors the contributions of our members, and positions CAP to focus resources where they can have the greatest impact. To see a more detailed breakdown of the decision, click here for the executive summary of key factors.
We recognize how meaningful the glider program has been to many of our cadets, instructors, and volunteers. Your passion and dedication have inspired thousands of cadets to take flight, both literally and figuratively. We share your pride in what this program has achieved and the opportunities it has provided. More details about the transition timeline and next steps will be shared as the process begins. In the meantime, please continue to care for the assets as you normally would.
We also look forward to engaging those in our glider community in other meaningful ways to instruct and mentor our cadets in powered aviation opportunities. Thank you for your input, professionalism, and continued commitment to CAP's mission of saving lives and shaping futures. Very respectfully, Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye National Commander/Chief Executive Officer Kristina E. Jones, CFRE Interim Chief Operating Officer

[Fubar]

Brilliant PR move to announce killing the glider program as a note in the PROPS newsletter on the same day the OCP uniform was announced.

[PHall]

Brilliant PR move to announce killing the glider program as a note in the PROPS newsletter on the same day the OCP uniform was announced.

Except it wasn't announced in PROPS. The last PROPS was dated October 7.

[Fubar]

Brilliant PR move to announce killing the glider program as a note in the PROPS newsletter on the same day the OCP uniform was announced.

Except it wasn't announced in PROPS. The last PROPS was dated October 7.

Last PROPS I got was November 4. You might want to check that you're still subscribed. Try the "update profile" link at the bottom of the last PROPS email you received.

[PHall]

Brilliant PR move to announce killing the glider program as a note in the PROPS newsletter on the same day the OCP uniform was announced.

Except it wasn't announced in PROPS. The last PROPS was dated October 7.

Last PROPS I got was November 4. You might want to check that you're still subscribed. Try the "update profile" link at the bottom of the last PROPS email you received.

I read the one posted in the NEWS section of the NHQ Web Page.  But I did get an wing wide email from my wing commander about it though.