Cadet Flying
Civil Air Patrol offers many opportunities for those interested in aerospace and flying.
Orientation Flights
Orientation Flights (sometimes shortened to O-flights) give cadets the opportunity to experience the wonder of flight. Each Civil Air Patrol cadet can receive five free orientation flights. These flights follow a syllabus intended to introduce the cadet to the basics of flying. For an FAQ and to learn more about orientation flights, click here.
Flight Training (Private Pilot Certificate)
Our squadron has a ground school program designed to help cadets interested in becoming a pilot by getting their Private Pilot Certificate. The ground school program is lead by Capt. Jeff Murray, a retired Navy and FedEx Pilot. The goal of the ground school program is to help cadets study for the FAA Private Pilot Written test. Once a cadet passes their written test, they can apply for the James Ray Scholarship to cover the costs of their flight training. This scholarship provides cadets with $5,000 for the first portion of their flight training for any flight school in the area. Once they solo, they can apply again to receive another $6,750 to complete their training. This covers most of the costs of flight school, but they actual cost will vary for each cadet based on how much training they need. We currently have three cadets who are utilizing this opportunity and are training now.
The program is set up as follows:
- Cadet joins CAP and the ground school program.
- Cadet attends weekly ground school classes.
- Cadet studies at home to retain knowledge.
- After the cadet has mastered the material, the cadet takes their FAA Private Pilot Written test.
- Upon successfully passing, the cadet applies for the scholarship and starts flying
We've had about 10 cadets who have gone through or are currently going through this process to gain their license. Every cadet who has applied for this scholarship has been approved.
Flight Academies (National Cadet Special Activities)
The goal of the National Flight Academies is to give cadets an opportunity to fly approximately 10 hours, weather and schedule permitting, and receive instruction from an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. Cadets are given appropriate ground and air instruction and opportunities to practice/perform assigned maneuvers. Additionally, cadets get the opportunity to work with aviation professionals, civilian and military, who share their expertise on how to prepare for a career as an aviator. More information can be found here. Flight Academies are National Cadet Special Activities. As such, funding for them is available through CadetInvest