Ballon pilot rating

Hawk200 · June 27, 2009, 02:20:34 AM

Talking to a balloon pilot, trying to see if I can recruit. Out of curiousity, what would it take to authorize him (provided he joins) the ballon pilot wings? 60-1 is kinda sketchy on what is required, and references local wing policies. What if the local wing has no policies?

Is this guy really gonna need a checkride in a CAP ballon to get wings? Just wondering. No, I haven't promised him anything. Just wondering what I can do for him.

IceNine · June 27, 2009, 03:11:23 AM

Yep, here is the line that states he must have a CAPF 5

Quote from: CAPR 60-1 3.1All pilots except CAP Solo pilots must complete a check ride. To be complete, the following must be accomplished as part of the CAPF 5 check ride

Hawk200 · June 27, 2009, 04:05:36 AM

Quote from: IceNine on June 27, 2009, 03:11:23 AM
Yep, here is the line that states he must have a CAPF 5

Quote from: CAPR 60-1 3.1All pilots except CAP Solo pilots must complete a check ride. To be complete, the following must be accomplished as part of the CAPF 5 check ride

Yeah, I read that part. What I'm wondering is one would go about doing such a thing. Would he have to utilize a CAP balloon? I can pretty much bet that there probably isn't a balloon check pilot examiner in my state.

Eclipse · June 27, 2009, 04:22:51 AM

Quote from: Hawk200 on June 27, 2009, 04:05:36 AM
Quote from: IceNine on June 27, 2009, 03:11:23 AM
Yep, here is the line that states he must have a CAPF 5

Quote from: CAPR 60-1 3.1All pilots except CAP Solo pilots must complete a check ride. To be complete, the following must be accomplished as part of the CAPF 5 check ride

Yeah, I read that part. What I'm wondering is one would go about doing such a thing. Would he have to utilize a CAP balloon? I can pretty much bet that there probably isn't a balloon check pilot examiner in my state.

It's hard to do a check ride without the vehicle.

I glanced over the Form 5, and a lot of what's on there is applicable. I'd bet in the case of a balloon, assuming yo could find a check pilot, if he had his own similar balloon you might be able to convince wing to use that. Its not out of the question for CAP pilots to do F5's in their own planes when they are similar to CAP airframes.

Don't be too disappointed if you don't find a high GASF, though. Balloons aren't the most useful aircraft operationally speaking.

Hawk200 · June 27, 2009, 05:18:11 AM

Quote from: Eclipse on June 27, 2009, 04:22:51 AMDon't be too disappointed if you don't find a high GASF, though.

Drawing a blank at the moment: GASF?

es_g0d · June 27, 2009, 05:50:27 AM

Any Form 5 can be in a member-owned aircraft. Reimbursement would not be likely, though.

If you cannot find a CAP check pilot to conduct the Form 5, an FAA Ops Inspector or Designated Pilot Examiner can give the evaluation, with a CAP check pilot conducting the applicable CAP-specific knowledge grading. Reference 60-1.

The bottom line is that its very possible, you just need to know how to make it happen!

Cecil DP · June 27, 2009, 06:01:34 AM

Run it past your Wing DO or Flight Ops Officer. He or she should be on top of this question.

Al Sayre · June 29, 2009, 12:10:15 PM

MS Wing has a CAP balloon (coming out of annual shortly) and a CAPF5 Balloon Examiner...

JohnKachenmeister · July 03, 2009, 02:08:04 AM

I do not think they are awarding the Balloon Pilot wings anymore. Them's what got them can keep them, but no new "Flying Light Bulbs" are being approved.

IceNine · July 03, 2009, 06:06:00 AM

^Cite?

It's still listed in 35-6

jimmydeanno · July 03, 2009, 12:26:25 PM

Quote from: JohnKachenmeister on July 03, 2009, 02:08:04 AM
I do not think they are awarding the Balloon Pilot wings anymore. Them's what got them can keep them, but no new "Flying Light Bulbs" are being approved.

I hope not, what else can I use the 20 pairs of them our squadron has for?

BTCS1* · July 04, 2009, 05:16:05 AM

Smelt them into pilot wings?

Eclipse · July 04, 2009, 06:02:23 AM

I pinged the Commander of JFA and he said they still award the wings.

BTCS1* · July 04, 2009, 07:17:30 AM

Smelt them into ballon wings!

JohnKachenmeister · July 05, 2009, 03:49:13 PM

Quote from: IceNine on July 03, 2009, 06:06:00 AM
^Cite?

It's still listed in 35-6

I was told that at National HQ when I had the temerity to suggest CAP Astronaut wings for Eric Boe (and any future CAP members who slip the surly bonds of Earth - completely). I was told they stopped issuing CAP Balloon wings after the Reg. change that required a 5G for wear of glider pilot wings. I guess they didn't want to have to write a 5B form.

LtCol057 · July 05, 2009, 07:30:26 PM

A Form 5B? It's on the schedule right after the updated 39-1.

es_g0d · July 05, 2009, 10:38:51 PM

It would be a safe bet that SM Boe will wear astronaut wings anyway, since they cross over nicely.

JohnKachenmeister · July 05, 2009, 11:21:01 PM

Quote from: es_g0d on July 05, 2009, 10:38:51 PM
It would be a safe bet that SM Boe will wear astronaut wings anyway, since they cross over nicely.

I know that. I thought it would be a very nice gesture and excellent public affairs to have a set of CAP astronaut wings cast and awarded to him ceremoniously. Also, it would make a great conversation item on the "CAP Awards and Badges" chart we trot out at air shows and open houses.

Nitwit: "Har Har! CAP Astronaut! Do you guys fly these Cessnas up in space? Har Har!"

CAP Dude: "No, not a Cessna. We used a really big glider."