Civil Air Patrol

[JJheli]

I was asked the other day if the civil air patrol have helo, I could not answer the question because I dont know. So anyone out there know if they do?

 

thanks

[permison]

I was asked the other day if the civil air patrol have helo, I could not answer the question because I dont know. So anyone out there know if they do?

 

thanks

 

Nope! Wish they did and I ask about it all the time. I am a mission pilot with the CAP. It's a great program though and I get to fly for free all the time. Sure it's fixed wing but we all have those family members that no one talks about.

[JJheli]

Do you have any idea why they dont have helicopters? I find it strange that they dont carry rotor wings.

[Goldy]

Sure it's fixed wing but we all have those family members that no one talks about.

 

Permison !! I'm shocked.

 

I looked into it a few years ago, and when I heard they didnt have rotors, I said no thanks. I don't honestly know why I am so uncomfortable in fixed wings...just am. Gliders no problem....hey they dont have a glider program, do they ?

 

Goldy

[Witch]

I know someone in CAP, and asked him that question some time ago. Basically it's because the airplane can cover more ground and orbit an area longer than a helo. Also the cost.

 

Reminds me though: Monday whilst doing a preflight, I paused and went over to an Army helo and talked with the pilots. Turns out that they were searching for a kid that walked off in the night into the woods. He had only a shirt and pants. The Army guys were searching in an area like 10 miles in diameter. Helicopters can't cover an area like that very efficiently, like a 172 could.

 

I think an arguement could be made that helicopters could play a vital role in SAR ops, but try to convince the CAP?

 

Later

[JDHelicopterPilot]

I too looked into it a long time back. Mostly I think it's the cost. Also, the CAP are more into the location of people than actual SAR operations. They leave the actual rescue to other agencies. Oh well.

 

You might want to look into it more. You may be able to volunteer your helicopter if you own one. I am not sure but thought I saw this somewhere. Or it might be planes only.

 

JD

[Jeff]

Permison !! I'm shocked.

 

I looked into it a few years ago, and when I heard they didnt have rotors, I said no thanks. I don't honestly know why I am so uncomfortable in fixed wings...just am. Gliders no problem....hey they dont have a glider program, do they ?

 

Goldy

 

 

Goldy,

 

Civil Air Patrol does have a glider program. If I have the time, I might try to get my glider rating this summer. The only cost would be for the tow plane.

 

As far as helicopters go, I tried to get CAP to give me their checkout in a 300, so I go fly to and from a mission base and the Air Force pay for my flight. They wouldn't do it base on the lack of necessity for helicopter operations. Their entire SAR set-up is based on airplanes. However, CAP does utilize helicopters for searches. Since it is a non-profit organization, you could donate your helicopter and pilot services to a SAR operation for a tax deduction; the Air Force will not reimburse you in any way.

 

If you join CAP to fly airplanes, use caution. Many of the units with airplanes assigned treat it like their own private flying club and are resistant to outsiders. They can't outright stop another member from flying the aircraft assigned to them, but they can make it so it's more trouble than it's worth.

 

~Jeff

[permison]

Permison !! I'm shocked.

 

I looked into it a few years ago, and when I heard they didnt have rotors, I said no thanks. I don't honestly know why I am so uncomfortable in fixed wings...just am. Gliders no problem....hey they dont have a glider program, do they ?

 

Goldy

 

Yeah, they do have a glider program. I am working on getting my glider rating myself. It's a PITA becuse I can only do it after the cadets so it's going to take forever to get it done.

[HarleyDave]

I researched that too. The CAP HQ here in North Jersey is based in the next town over from me, and I have always been fond of volunteer work, but the no helo rule turned me off. I believe that in the CAP regs online, it stated that use of a helo even privately owned was forbidden.

 

* Edited for spelling, please administer me one blanket party.

Edited April 8, 2008 by HarleyDave

[BOATFIXERGUY]

I found similar resistance from CAP a few years ago. We were even willing to donate our aircraft and pilots. At the time we had 2 - B47's, Alouette II, 2 -300's, and two 280's. They didn't even want to talk about RW. The response was...not interested. In colorado, they used the National Guard when they needed a RW for a search.

[permison]

Yeah, I don't know what the adversion to rotorywing aircraft is. We have a meeting with the national capital squadron coming up and I will ask around.

Permison

[Jeff]

I found similar resistance from CAP a few years ago. We were even willing to donate our aircraft and pilots. At the time we had 2 - B47's, Alouette II, 2 -300's, and two 280's. They didn't even want to talk about RW. The response was...not interested. In colorado, they used the National Guard when they needed a RW for a search.

 

I think part of the resistance you get is partly the "Good 'ole boy" syndrome. Just for fun, next time you have any sort of conversation with them about donating helos, offer to train some pilots for free. See if you get a different response.

[permison]

I think part of the resistance you get is partly the "Good 'ole boy" syndrome. Just for fun, next time you have any sort of conversation with them about donating helos, offer to train some pilots for free. See if you get a different response.

 

No that wont work. The no helicopter rule comes from the National Command Authority (The Air force). Trust me I've tried just about everything, though my C.O. love the fact that I am a helo pilot. We talk about it all the time.

[HeloPitts]

This is just a thought I could be wrong, but maybe they are thinking about the safety aspect of SAR. Searching is the easy part and can be done in a 172 or 182. The Rescue part takes a whole different skill set especially in mountainous terrain 6000' plus. And being a volunteer organization semi supported by the government there will not be enough money for training and that becomes a real liability. And the kind of helicopter that you would have to use in the high country for rescue would i be cost prohibitive on a shoe string budget. It could turn into a situation where it could make matters worse in a hurry.