Questions for joining CAP

[Cowanthunder]

Hi,

Sorry if this is stated in other areas.  I have a few questions about joining.

1: I work 40hrs a week already 10-7pm.  Is CAP a full time job?

2: I know that CAP is volunteer.  If I cannot do something due to other prior obligations both at my career or personally, will you get "in trouble"?

3: Is there a certain amount of time you have to volunteer for?

4: Will CAP pay for Private Pilot Certificate?  If not, do they assist?

 

[Flying Pig]

CAP is about giving what you can. I have had to take several leaves of absence from CAP because of changing work shifts, etc.  Any unit will be happy to give what you can.  Just keep your unit commander informed.  If you are in charge of something and have to back out, let them know in plenty of time.  Ultimately, the Squadron Commander has to do it if it does not get done so dont call him/her at midnight when your project is needed by 7am!

You will not get "in trouble" if you cannot keep a commitment.  Again, just keep your peers informed of your status.  I am a squadron commander and can only make it to meetings about 1 time per month.  Fortunately I have a good staff.  There is no minimum or maximum time to give to CAP.  There are retired people who work CAP almost full time because they enjoy it, and there are people on my Squadron Roster whom I have never met. 

CAP will not pay for your rating, but you can rent CAP aircraft for very cheap and will have access to CAP instructors.  Once you have a license its a great way to get involved in aviation.  Your unit will be able to direct you when you are ready.

[C/MSgt Lunsford]

Hi,

Sorry if this is stated in other areas.  I have a few questions about joining.

1: I work 40hrs a week already 10-7pm.  Is CAP a full time job?

2: I know that CAP is volunteer.  If I cannot do something due to other prior obligations both at my career or personally, will you get "in trouble"?

3: Is there a certain amount of time you have to volunteer for?

4: Will CAP pay for Private Pilot Certificate?  If not, do they assist?

Senior or Cadet Member?

[SarDragon]

Hi,

Sorry if this is stated in other areas.  I have a few questions about joining.

1: I work 40hrs a week already 10-7pm.  Is CAP a full time job?

Yes, no, maybe. It will take up as much of your time as you decide.

2: I know that CAP is volunteer.  If I cannot do something due to other prior obligations both at my career or personally, will you get "in trouble"?

No. If you incur a specific obligation, you are expected to uphold it, but there are few preset obligations, and the timing on those is usually very flexible.

3: Is there a certain amount of time you have to volunteer for?

No. See #1.

4: Will CAP pay for Private Pilot Certificate?  If not, do they assist?

No. No. Once you have your private certificate, you can fly in CAP a/c to get additional ratings, subject to the regs.

[Eclipse]

1: I work 40hrs a week already 10-7pm.  Is CAP a full time job?

No, CAP is not a "full-time job", as you say, "full time jobs" generally require 40 hours a week.

If it gets in your blood, CAP will get a lot more than that from you.   

[Chicago_Pilot]

1: I work 40hrs a week already 10-7pm.  Is CAP a full time job?

No, CAP is not a "full-time job", as you say, "full time jobs" generally require 40 hours a week.

If it gets in your blood, CAP will get a lot more than that from you.   

That sounds like it comes from experience...   

[RADIOMAN015]

Hi,

Sorry if this is stated in other areas.  I have a few questions about joining.

1: I work 40hrs a week already 10-7pm.  Is CAP a full time job?

2: I know that CAP is volunteer.  If I cannot do something due to other prior obligations both at my career or personally, will you get "in trouble"?

3: Is there a certain amount of time you have to volunteer for?

4: Will CAP pay for Private Pilot Certificate?  If not, do they assist?

#1  You get a paycheck from a job, you get personal satisfaction from your volunteer efforts in CAP.
#2.  Depends, IF you always back out of something you agree to do, than the organization won't be happy with you, only commit to what you can reasonably do.
#3  YES & NO -- Frankly if you are the kind of person who likes to join just for the sake of joining and can't spend at least 3 hours per week, we probably don't need you.
#4 That sounds like the real reason you want to join.  Senior member = NO!!!  Cadet member -- well you just can't get flying lessons, you've got to progress first in the cadet program.
Bottom line is that each unit really will determine whether a senior member is worth the effort to train or not.  Your shift of 1000 hrs to 1900 hrs local, sure would interfere with your availability (at least folks on the 2nd shift, e.g 1500-2300 hrs) are available in the mornings to do some CAP volunteer work and you didn't say whether you work weekends, since that also would drastically affect your capability to be trained in many ES specialities.
Visit a few units to see if you like them & they like you, and you can fit a need for the unit
RM

[Cowanthunder]

Thanks for all the replies.  Yes I understand that I get paid from my job.  I am not looking for pay from this.  I am in the process for getting Private Pilot and want to complete that.  I want to fly for some purpose as well as fun and I thought this would be a good way.

Obviously I have to work to pay my bills. I didn't know if there were certain obligations you had to do or if they called people in for seach and rescue at last notice.  Just wondered how the CAP would work into my life schedule, thats all. 

I would love to do this stuff full time but that's not possible for me.  Flying is my life and I go with friends every chance I get.

I am 23 years old and think this puts me in the "senior" category.  I am off on weekends and I can get off work early for meetings, but only when I can trade shifts with someone in advance.  I am in the Dayton, OH area and was looking into a unit at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

I love how people on the forum are so helpful and nice.  It really makes a person feel welcome and willing to help. So thanks to everyone out there that responded and everyone on the forum!!