Over the past couple of weeks, three new CAP senior members (myself included) have been receiving classroom training on the G1000. If you are not a pilot, this may not seem all that significant, but as a CAP member, this is free training. Working with a regular flight instructor on this would have cost me a few hundred dollars, plus the cost of training CD's and videos. My CAP membership has just paid for itself several times over, and I haven't even gotten to fly yet.
Now may be a good time to point out, for all you other pilots out there, that CAP provides an economical way to build flying time. You wouldn't do it as a career path, but still. If flying on an approved mission (i.e., a real search, a training flight, or a ferry flight), there is no cost to the member to fly a CAP aircraft. In addition, a member can request to use the CAP aircraft for personal flying - and not at regular rental rates either. For a G1000-equipped Cessna 182, the cost is just under $40 per hour, dry. I challenge you to find a cheaper way to fly equipment like this.
The training so far has centered around some off-the-shelf training discs from King Schools and Sporty's. Sure, I could purchase these and go through them at home, but having an instructor (who also happens to be a pilot examiner) who knows the system is invaluable.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Moving Along
Slowly but surely, my CAP experience is taking shape. I still don't know what the holdup was, but everything is now in order for my Level 1. It is now on the books, so I am now "in" and can fly in the aircraft, work with cadets, and get moving on professional development.
The CAP specialty tracks include several roles. I had been looking at the public affairs officer position, but after talking to the wing PAO, I found out that there is a lot of time built into the advancement. Basically, many of the steps require a full year of service, rather than six months as in many of the other positions. This doesn't keep one from working on things outside of the chosen path, and some of the public affairs tasks are pretty interesting, so I might still consider it. On the other hand, the squadron commander asked me if I would be interested in Aerospace Education. It looks pretty straightforward, and obviously fits my piloting experience, so it's rapidly rising to be my first choice. Doing that would require that I become actively involved in training cadets and also doing some outside education, like at local schools. I'm all for that...
Today, I also went to my second senior meeting. On top of some administrative stuff, we talked about having a squadron fundraiser. Most interesting was that a couple of new members like myself need to get G1000 familiarization. Though I don't have enough PIC hours yet, I can still do the ground training. This goes hand in hand with my time playing around with the DA-40 so long ago. I still remember much of the information, and a second time around would be a good thing.
Starting next week, then, we begin getting into some more meaty parts of the flying game.
The CAP specialty tracks include several roles. I had been looking at the public affairs officer position, but after talking to the wing PAO, I found out that there is a lot of time built into the advancement. Basically, many of the steps require a full year of service, rather than six months as in many of the other positions. This doesn't keep one from working on things outside of the chosen path, and some of the public affairs tasks are pretty interesting, so I might still consider it. On the other hand, the squadron commander asked me if I would be interested in Aerospace Education. It looks pretty straightforward, and obviously fits my piloting experience, so it's rapidly rising to be my first choice. Doing that would require that I become actively involved in training cadets and also doing some outside education, like at local schools. I'm all for that...
Today, I also went to my second senior meeting. On top of some administrative stuff, we talked about having a squadron fundraiser. Most interesting was that a couple of new members like myself need to get G1000 familiarization. Though I don't have enough PIC hours yet, I can still do the ground training. This goes hand in hand with my time playing around with the DA-40 so long ago. I still remember much of the information, and a second time around would be a good thing.
Starting next week, then, we begin getting into some more meaty parts of the flying game.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Some Basic Aerospace
Though I have completed all of my Level 1 requirements, it is still not posted to the national online database yet. The general consensus of the other senior members is that the squadron commander is sitting on something and not following up on the paperwork. I went to the cadet meeting tonight in part to see if I could get some answers, but the commander was out...
In the meantime, the cadets were having an aerospace lesson. This covered some of the same material that the cadet from last week was having trouble with. I'm still barely up to speed on the senior member advancement program, and know very little about what the cadets need to do. But I can handle the technical side of things. With nothing else to do about my own membership issues, I spent an hour with the cadets assisting with their lesson.
We went over aircraft instruments, power plants (engines), and airport lighting tonight. I am one of those people that is usually not satisfied with a single word answer. This probably bugs the heck out of the cadets, but I will consistently ask "why". For example, we discussed gyroscopes - the artificial horizon and heading indicator instruments in the plane. They basically need to know how they work and why. But I push it a bit further. "Why do you need to readjust the heading indicator? Precession. What is precession? and so on..." I didn't hijack the discussion, but I do feel that rote memorization is but a small part of the learning process. Visualizing how and why something works the way it does is another story.
Speaking of another story...
Peripherally related to my latest endeavor, I will be making a trip down to Casa Grande, AZ for the Copperstate Fly-in. Though I will not actually be flying ($$$), I'm looking forward to going. I've never been to an EAA event, which focuses on the experimental and home-built markets, rather than the military air shows I usually go to. Also on the agenda however: I am trying to set up a visit with an aviation author that I particularly enjoy and have had some conversations with over the past year. Cool stuff. Aviation definitely can take you places.
In the meantime, the cadets were having an aerospace lesson. This covered some of the same material that the cadet from last week was having trouble with. I'm still barely up to speed on the senior member advancement program, and know very little about what the cadets need to do. But I can handle the technical side of things. With nothing else to do about my own membership issues, I spent an hour with the cadets assisting with their lesson.
We went over aircraft instruments, power plants (engines), and airport lighting tonight. I am one of those people that is usually not satisfied with a single word answer. This probably bugs the heck out of the cadets, but I will consistently ask "why". For example, we discussed gyroscopes - the artificial horizon and heading indicator instruments in the plane. They basically need to know how they work and why. But I push it a bit further. "Why do you need to readjust the heading indicator? Precession. What is precession? and so on..." I didn't hijack the discussion, but I do feel that rote memorization is but a small part of the learning process. Visualizing how and why something works the way it does is another story.
Speaking of another story...
Peripherally related to my latest endeavor, I will be making a trip down to Casa Grande, AZ for the Copperstate Fly-in. Though I will not actually be flying ($$$), I'm looking forward to going. I've never been to an EAA event, which focuses on the experimental and home-built markets, rather than the military air shows I usually go to. Also on the agenda however: I am trying to set up a visit with an aviation author that I particularly enjoy and have had some conversations with over the past year. Cool stuff. Aviation definitely can take you places.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Winging It With The Cadets
Tonight I attended another CAP cadet meeting. I have been going to more of these than I probably need to, especially since I'm still working into the system, but the squadron commander is happy to have me. Tonight, he asked if I was comfortable reviewing a cadet's non-passing test with him to make sure he gets some remedial help before taking it again.
I looked at the test - basic aviation stuff, but not too much different than the FAA written exam. The squadron commander had already graded the test, but hadn't marked the correct answers on the questions the cadet had wrong. So, I had to know the right answers, and also be able to explain intelligently the why's and how's so that he would understand. How's that for jumping right in.
I surprised even myself. It turns out that the cadet's no-pass really just came from a severe lack of studying. Most of his wrong answers were outright guesses. Nonetheless, we went through it question by question. Aircraft systems, airport lighting and signage, and some other basic aeronautical knowledge...phew...and I didn't have to stumble around and find a book to reference. Somehow, even though my own flying has been infrequent at best, all that stuff is still in my head.
On another note, I also finally contacted the wing public affairs officer this week about my idea for putting together some articles about this experience. Short answer: "Definitely go for it!" So, I'm encouraged about combining my interests in aviation and writing. We shall see if I can put together a coherent pitch to AOPA.
I looked at the test - basic aviation stuff, but not too much different than the FAA written exam. The squadron commander had already graded the test, but hadn't marked the correct answers on the questions the cadet had wrong. So, I had to know the right answers, and also be able to explain intelligently the why's and how's so that he would understand. How's that for jumping right in.
I surprised even myself. It turns out that the cadet's no-pass really just came from a severe lack of studying. Most of his wrong answers were outright guesses. Nonetheless, we went through it question by question. Aircraft systems, airport lighting and signage, and some other basic aeronautical knowledge...phew...and I didn't have to stumble around and find a book to reference. Somehow, even though my own flying has been infrequent at best, all that stuff is still in my head.
On another note, I also finally contacted the wing public affairs officer this week about my idea for putting together some articles about this experience. Short answer: "Definitely go for it!" So, I'm encouraged about combining my interests in aviation and writing. We shall see if I can put together a coherent pitch to AOPA.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
SAREX
SAREX = Search And Rescue Exercise
Today I went out with the squadron and some pilots from elsewhere in the wing on a SAREX (the military emphasis on acronyms will never die). The exercise is intended to provide training to pilots, observers, ground teams, and command post staff. This was a fairly small group, so everyone was involved somehow. Since I'm still not done with Level 1, I'm not cleared to fly in the CAP aircraft yet (even as an observer). Nonetheless, I was able to tag along with the cadets, who generally comprise the ground teams with SM assistance.
After a morning briefing to cover safety, weather, and communications, we waited...and waited...
Apparently, keeping even a group this small well organized and efficient still presents something of a challenge. The pilots were going over some ground briefings of their own about the airplane's avionics, there were questions about assignments of staff, and the time just slipped away. In any event, true to military standards, we eventually got going.
The ground team's job was to lay out some targets for the pilots to find. The targets are bright tarps to simulate aircraft pieces or a person's clothing. If someone were lost in the wilderness, it is expected that they will do their best to be seen, using bright clothing, geometric shapes, etc.
Then, the cadets practiced using the radio to communicate with the air team, with the air observer then simulating providing directions back to the ground team - of course, we knew where the targets were, so we had to pretend to play dumb to receive turn by turn directions, but it's educational to run through the procedures. Just as simulated emergencies in the air don't quite get your heart pumping the same way that a real fire or engine failure will, the goal is to become accustomed to checklists, flows, communication techniques, etc. The same goes for search and rescue drills.
After the air team left to do some other practice, the senior members (myself included) did some lessons with the cadets on map reading, GPS, search lines, signs of a wreck, general search strategy, and signaling. Though I haven't had any search and rescue experience, I could still contribute quite a bit to the map and GPS lesson.
I am still getting to know the cadets, but they are a bright bunch of kids. I'm still trying to figure out everyone's underlying goals for being in the program though. After I'm more involved in the system and have the authority to tailor lessons to them, it will be important to have some personal conversations to find out what their respective interests are.
Today I went out with the squadron and some pilots from elsewhere in the wing on a SAREX (the military emphasis on acronyms will never die). The exercise is intended to provide training to pilots, observers, ground teams, and command post staff. This was a fairly small group, so everyone was involved somehow. Since I'm still not done with Level 1, I'm not cleared to fly in the CAP aircraft yet (even as an observer). Nonetheless, I was able to tag along with the cadets, who generally comprise the ground teams with SM assistance.
After a morning briefing to cover safety, weather, and communications, we waited...and waited...
Apparently, keeping even a group this small well organized and efficient still presents something of a challenge. The pilots were going over some ground briefings of their own about the airplane's avionics, there were questions about assignments of staff, and the time just slipped away. In any event, true to military standards, we eventually got going.
The ground team's job was to lay out some targets for the pilots to find. The targets are bright tarps to simulate aircraft pieces or a person's clothing. If someone were lost in the wilderness, it is expected that they will do their best to be seen, using bright clothing, geometric shapes, etc.
Then, the cadets practiced using the radio to communicate with the air team, with the air observer then simulating providing directions back to the ground team - of course, we knew where the targets were, so we had to pretend to play dumb to receive turn by turn directions, but it's educational to run through the procedures. Just as simulated emergencies in the air don't quite get your heart pumping the same way that a real fire or engine failure will, the goal is to become accustomed to checklists, flows, communication techniques, etc. The same goes for search and rescue drills.
After the air team left to do some other practice, the senior members (myself included) did some lessons with the cadets on map reading, GPS, search lines, signs of a wreck, general search strategy, and signaling. Though I haven't had any search and rescue experience, I could still contribute quite a bit to the map and GPS lesson.
I am still getting to know the cadets, but they are a bright bunch of kids. I'm still trying to figure out everyone's underlying goals for being in the program though. After I'm more involved in the system and have the authority to tailor lessons to them, it will be important to have some personal conversations to find out what their respective interests are.
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