Pilot Guide
If you are 18 years and older, and a CAP member you could be a valued asset to the organization by becoming a Search and Rescue Mission Pilot Trainee. The first step is becoming a CAP Pilot and earning your wings.
Below is a systematic list of instructions explaining how to become a pilot in Civil Air Patrol.
We have one aircraft based at DTO, a Cessna
182T G1000.
You need an initial checkout in this aircraft and each type you want to fly in CAP such as the C172.
You must complete Level 1 Orientation, Cadet Protection, EO, OpSec, and the Aircraft Ground Handling Safety Video prior to becoming a CAP Pilot.
Prerequisites
1. Obtain your CAP ID card and your CAP uniform (minimum blue CAP polo shirt, gray pants, black shoes).
2. As a basic qualification, you must be an FAA licensed Private Pilot or above, hold a current class 3 medical certificate and be current to carry passengers.
3. Your logbook must contain a current flight review, in accordance with FAR 61.56. Search for 61.56.
Study this material
Below is a systematic list of instructions explaining how to become a pilot in Civil Air Patrol.
We have one aircraft based at DTO, a Cessna
182T G1000.
You need an initial checkout in this aircraft and each type you want to fly in CAP such as the C172.
You must complete Level 1 Orientation, Cadet Protection, EO, OpSec, and the Aircraft Ground Handling Safety Video prior to becoming a CAP Pilot.
Prerequisites
1. Obtain your CAP ID card and your CAP uniform (minimum blue CAP polo shirt, gray pants, black shoes).
2. As a basic qualification, you must be an FAA licensed Private Pilot or above, hold a current class 3 medical certificate and be current to carry passengers.
3. Your logbook must contain a current flight review, in accordance with FAR 61.56. Search for 61.56.
Study this material
- CAPR 60-1, CAP Flight Management.
- CAPP 52-7, Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus, only if you wish to become a Cadet Orientation Pilot (requires at least 200 hours PIC).
- AFROTC MOU, If you wish to fly funded AFROTC flights (requires at least 300 hours PIC) you will need to review the AFROTC MOU. Search for AFROTC/AFJROTC/CAP Flight Orientation Program.
- If you are not familiar with the requirements of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS), purchase a copy from any pilot shop or download it free from the FAA.
- Go to the Emergency Services section of this website and get the POH for the desired aircraft type – Read the POH and know the Cessna 182’s Speeds, Emergency Procedures Bold Face items, and Systems. Review the C182 Flying Notes.
- Weight & balance information may be found here: Group 6 Weight & Balance
- For members with previous G1000 experience you will initially present your documentation and discuss your experience with the wing check pilot, who will determine whether you will be authorized an immediate CAPF 5 evaluation (to include instrument privileges if that is desired) or if you will be required to complete the CAP G1000 ground school.
- For an initial or annual CAPF 5 flight check, take and pass the current online CAPR 60-1 Form 5 Annual Examination–Powered. This is a 21-question, open book test. You must complete it not more than 60 days before your flight check. Print the completion certificate and bring it with you to the flight check. This examination is not required if you have a current CAPF 5 and are simply adding a new aircraft qualification.
- If you are or wish to become a Cadet Orientation Pilot, also take and pass the current online Cadet Orientation Pilot Quiz, either with or without ROTC. This is also an open-book test and can be found by following the link above. Print the completion certificate and bring it with you to the flight check.
- Complete an Airplane Questionnaire Attachment 3 to CAPR 60-1 for the aircraft to be used.
- Download and print two copies of the CAP Form 5. Fill in all of the top boxes except the Additional CAP Endorsements section. If you anticipate flying a CAP aircraft in IMC then check the Instrument box and be
prepared to demonstrate instrument proficiency. If you have 200+ hours PIC time, then check the Cadet Orientation Pilot box so you can fly cadets on Orientation Flights.
- AIRSPEED Video – How to Pass Your CAP Form 5 Checkride
- Your CAPF 5 oral evaluation will be based mainly on the following regulations, so you should refresh your knowledge of them before the flight check.
- Parts 61 and 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- CAPR 60-1, CAP Flight Management.
- CAPP 52-7, Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus, if you wish to become a Cadet Orientation Pilot (requires at least 200 hours PIC).
- AFROTC MOU, If you wish to fly funded AFROTC flights (requires at least 300 hours PIC) you will need to review the AFROTC MOU.
- Take the CAPR 60-1, CAPF 5 Annual Examination within 60 days of your check ride.
- Review the CAPF 5, Attachment 5 to CAPR 60-1, and the current FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards for the class of airplane to be used. If you are instrument rated and plan to seek instrument privileges in CAP aircraft, you should also review the current FAA Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards. These documents will tell you how the flight check will be performed and what maneuvers you may be required to demonstrate. If you are not sure how to perform a maneuver, consult a publication such as the FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook or Flight Training Handbook, Gleim’s Private Pilot Flight Maneuvers, or ASA’s Visualized Flight Maneuvers for High-Wing Aircraft.
- Review the Emergency Procedures section of the checklists found here. Both these check lists and the the manufactures checklist are acceptable.
- eServices validation: Enter in all of your FAA Pilot qualifications using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->FAA Requirements links. Then use the link->Checkride/Questionnaires for entering questionaire and checkride information.
- Upload the scanned copies of the FAA Documents documents using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Pilot->FAA Questionnaires->View/Upload Documents->Pilot link and eMail the Squadron Commander to let him know that they are awaiting validation. This must be done before you fly.
- Schedule a familiarization/preparation flight with an Instructor Pilot (IP) other than your Check Pilot. You will need to know systems, emergency procedures, weight & balance, flight release, etc. Also, familiarize yourself with the CAP Aircraft Information File that is kept in the plane. CAP corporate planes are used for 99% of our flying. Ensure your proficiency level meets the ACS standards for your rating.
- Have your IP get a flight release since the FRO will only “release” the PIC. However, you need to know the procedure so have your IP go over it with you.
- Know where the aircraft is and how to get into the locker for the keys. Your IP may have to show you the first time.
- Get to the aircraft early and use the POH and other on-board documents to fill out the Airplane Questionnaire. Get your IP to check it with you for correctness.
- Make sure your IP goes over the Aircraft Information File with you so you understand what it contains and how to determine Airworthiness of the aircraft. Make sure he goes over what paperwork entries are required for each flight.
- Talk to the Check Pilot and schedule your check ride.
- Since this is your first CAP Form 5 check ride, your CP will have to get the flight release, but he will question you on the proper procedure during the oral portion of your exam.
- Bring the following items with you to the flight check:
- FAR/AIM.
- POH, AFM or Information Manual for the aircraft being used.
- Copy of the current CAPR 60-1
- Completion certificate from CAPR 60-1 Form 5 annual examination.
- CAP Form 5 with top portion filled out.
- Copy of Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus CAPP 52-7, if applicable.
- Completion certificate from Cadet Orientation Pilot Quiz, if applicable.
- Aircraft weight and balance calculation using the Check Pilot’s weight.
- Pilot certificate.
- Current medical certificate.
- Pilot logbook (to prove currency).
- Your CAP ID.
- Headset.
- View-limiting device (whether or not you are instrument rated).
- EFB or current Sectional and Terminal Area Chart for the local area.
- EFB or current Chart Supplement for the local area.
- EFB or current instrument low-level enroute and approach charts for the local area (instrument pilots only).
- A check made out to “Civil Air Patrol” for payment of the aircraft hourly fee. Current hourly rates can be found in Attachment 1 of the current CAPR 173-3. The check is to be left in the plastic pouch with the aircraft keys in the green locker in the hanger.
- A check, credit card or cash to pay for fuel.
- Wear an approved CAP uniform (Minimum blue CAP polo shirt, gray pants, black shoes).
- Be prepared, relax and have a successful check ride. (Remember that the CP is only there to evaluate your flying skills, this is NOT an instructional session).
- Remember, you are not yet a CAP Pilot, and cannot act as PIC in CAP aircraft, until the Squadron Commander and/or Stan/Eval Officer has copies of all your paperwork, validated all of your pilot qualifications and you are approved as a CAP VFR Pilot in e-services. Once this is all done, you can then act as PIC and can wear the CAP Pilot aeronautical rating (wings). Go to eServices > My Operations Qualifications > Checkride/Questionnaires > Airplane for entering the questionnaire, Statement of Understanding, and checkride information.
- Upload the scanned copies of the CAPF 5 using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Pilot-> Checkride/Questionnaires->Airplane->View/Upload Documents->Pilot link.
- When you have completed your Form 5 check ride and all of your information has been validated you will then able to be released to fly CAP aircraft. All flights are required to be entered into the Web Information Reporting System (WMIRS). You will need to obtain a user ID and Password to gain access. Once you have access, you may log on and review the WMIRS Instructions which will detail how to enter the information on your flights. WMIRS can be accessed through eServices.
- Contact the Squadron ESO to begin training for Mission Pilot.