FLY2HMO From United States, joined Jan 2004, 1987 posts, RR: 1 Posted (2 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1099 times:
So being a low time commercial pilot I've been looking at many ways to increase my total time. It just occurred to me that maybe joining the C.A.P. might be a cost effective (a.k.a. cheap) way of doing so. I've been doing some research about it and I surpass all of their pilot requirements. But nowhere I can find a place mentioning if you get to fly right away, or if there's months and months of training. I'm hoping (yet, I doubt) I could get a pilots slot soon, since I only got one semester of college to do, which is the only time I'll remain relatively stationary in the US. I'm overseas at the moment so I cant stop by my local squadron.
So, what say you?
When ATC tells Chuck Norris to IDENT, the controller is greeted by two fists flying at him through the radar scope
Lowrider From United States, joined Jun 2004, 1851 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (2 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1085 times:
Quoting FLY2HMO (Thread starter): So being a low time commercial pilot I've been looking at many ways to increase my total time. It just occurred to me that maybe joining the C.A.P. might be a cost effective (a.k.a. cheap) way of doing so.
No. Looked into it for the same reason. After a ream of paperwork and, jump through 3 flaming hoops and take their "checkrides" you can get on a list to fly kids on orientation flights when there is funding, an aircraft, and no one else wants to. If you invest a lot more money and time, you might get to fly on the occasional ELT hunt. That assumes that "local" policies, politics, and procedures don't get in the way. Took me 4 months to schedule a VFR only checkout. A week prior the guy canceled and wanted to reschedule for 2 months further down the road. In the mean time I was getting calls for lots of projects and other tasks, such as taking a 4 hour one way road trip to pick up decommissioned BDUs for the kids. At my expense (but it is a tax write off). I did not renew my membership after the first year.
Soku39 From United States, joined Nov 2000, 1697 posts, RR: 11 Reply 4, posted (2 months 3 hours ago) and read 941 times:
Quoting FLY2HMO (Reply 3): That is plan Z for me, but seeing how the industry is right now, it might be upgraded to plan D
Funny you say that, plan Z for me right now is airline pilot... why even worry about that garbage for the time being. Flight instructing is really a good time.
Dw747400 From United States, joined Aug 2001, 837 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 909 times:
It really depends on where you are flying, what qualifications you have, what is needed locally, and some luck. Having flown with CAP for several years, I got tired of the paperwork nightmare and let my currency lapse. I'm not going to go back and get recurrent as with my commercial license my options for free flying have expanded a bit.
If you have 200 + PIC, you have some options for refundable flying. Instrument and Commercial also help make you more desirable (e.g. get processed faster), and if you are a CFI--especially with G1000 time--expect them to rush you through.
I will warn you though, most units don't take to kindly to people who want to drop in for a few months and rack up flight time; thats not why we are here. It is a service-oriented organization, and most people take the view you should put something in to get something out.
Also, its important to evaluate the local unit. Not all are created equal. A few are exceptional, most are good, and a small number are embarrassing to the organization. Generally people who have negative experiences either are not properly briefed before joining (it is a commitment to a volunteer organization, and that means some work) or members have these low-quality squadrons.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask--I'm not trying to discourage you at all--CAP has done some great things for me, and I highly encourage people to join--but I feel it is important you know you aren't getting into something that exists just to help folks build flight hours.
Bond007 From United States, joined Mar 2005, 4211 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 896 times:
Quoting FLY2HMO (Thread starter): So being a low time commercial pilot I've been looking at many ways to increase my total time.
I'm sure there aren't many vacancies, but I once flew a news reporter in C172 every morning and evening to watch the highway traffic. It was fairly unsociable hours, like 5am and 5-7pm, but probably as many hours as I got instructing (in fact could do both at the same time!), and pay was bearable.
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
ATCT From United States, joined Mar 2001, 1703 posts, RR: 34 Reply 7, posted (1 month 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 796 times:
Id personally stay clear of the CAP. Id say find a local banner tow outfit and instruct at a school. Best ways to build lots of time. (If you can find a Pipeline with low mins or an aerial photo company...those are other good time builders)
ShyFlyer From United States, joined Jan 2004, 3621 posts, RR: 9 Reply 8, posted (1 month 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 744 times:
Quoting Dw747400 (Reply 5): It really depends on where you are flying, what qualifications you have, what is needed locally, and some luck.
The amount of flying varies considerably, so check multiple squadrons (that have an aircraft assigned to them) to see if any are a good fit for you.
I'm not sure if this is still the case or not, but the Arizona Wing does quite a bit of flying for the Department of Public Safety and also for the Air Force assisting the newbie F-16 jocks practice their intercepts. The last I heard, there's flying for anyone who wants it, though that intel may be outdated or inaccurate.
You won't be building time hand over fist, though there is some opportunity for some interesting flying.
FLY2HMO From United States, joined Jan 2004, 1987 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (1 month 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 662 times:
Quoting Dw747400 (Reply 5): If you have 200 + PIC, you have some options for refundable flying. Instrument and Commercial also help make you more desirable (e.g. get processed faster), and if you are a CFI--especially with G1000 time--expect them to rush you through.
Well, I do have all of the above, except for the CFI...
Quoting Bond007 (Reply 6): I once flew a news reporter in C172 every morning
Hmm, that gig actually sounds pretty appealing to me. May I inquire as to how you got started in that?
Quoting Doug_Or (Reply 9): watch out for scammers in this business.
How do you tell the scammer from the real deal? Most of what I've seen seemed legit. Just curious.
When ATC tells Chuck Norris to IDENT, the controller is greeted by two fists flying at him through the radar scope
PGNCS From United States, joined Apr 2007, 796 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (1 month 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 609 times:
Quoting Dw747400 (Reply 5): It really depends on where you are flying, what qualifications you have, what is needed locally, and some luck. Having flown with CAP for several years, I got tired of the paperwork nightmare and let my currency lapse. I'm not going to go back and get recurrent as with my commercial license my options for free flying have expanded a bit.
If you have 200 + PIC, you have some options for refundable flying. Instrument and Commercial also help make you more desirable (e.g. get processed faster), and if you are a CFI--especially with G1000 time--expect them to rush you through.
I will warn you though, most units don't take to kindly to people who want to drop in for a few months and rack up flight time; thats not why we are here. It is a service-oriented organization, and most people take the view you should put something in to get something out.
I think you have given the best summary possible here. I started in CAP, found it to be a good way to build time, and enjoyed the experience. Having said that, this is NOT an organization that exists to build time for you, it is a SERVICE organization. If you don't want to serve, but just to show up, fly, and then go home, there is a reason they aren't interested in you.
Quoting Dw747400 (Reply 5): If you have any questions, feel free to ask--I'm not trying to discourage you at all--CAP has done some great things for me, and I highly encourage people to join--but I feel it is important you know you aren't getting into something that exists just to help folks build flight hours.
Spot on. CAP can be an excellent opportunity. Some units are excellent, some are terrible, most are on the bell curve in between. It is what you make it, and it helped me get my start in professional flying, but it isn't a flying club.
Quoting DashTrash (Reply 11): There's a reason it's been called the "Silly Ass Patrol".
Apparently by people who don't understand how acronyms work.
There are an awful lot of people out there who have crashed planes, been found by the CAP, and are indebted for their lives to them.
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From United States, joined Jan 2004, 1987 posts, 
The amount of flying varies considerably, so check multiple squadrons (that have an aircraft assigned to them) to see if any are a good fit for you.
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