Would you like to learn to fly? Then rise to the challenge of cadet membership in College Park Squadron, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Cadets fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, and push themselves to new limits. If you’re dreaming about a career in aviation, space, emergency services, or the military, CAP’s Cadet Program is for you. To become a Cadet, you must be at least 12 years old and not yet 19 years old. Cadets meet 2 1/2 hours per week and also have opportunities to attend leadership encampments, flight schools, career academies, and other activities during the summer.
Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization of over 1,500 members in Maryland & over 61,000 members nationwide. CAP conducts 90% of inland search & rescue missions tasked by the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited with saving 113 lives in 2010. Maryland CAP members flew 42 search & rescue missions and were credited with 31 finds. CAP also performs homeland security & disaster relief missions at the request of federal, state, & local agencies. Volunteers play a leading role in aerospace education & serve as mentors to the more than 26,000 young people participating in the CAP Cadet Program, aviation based leadership training program.
CAP's Cadet Program is unique in that it uses aviation as a cornerstone. Thousands of young people are introduced to aviation through CAP's Cadet Program. The program allows young people to progress at their own pace through a 16-step program including aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness, and moral leadership. Cadets compete for academic scholarships to further their studies in fields such as engineering, science, aircraft mechanics, aerospace medicine, meteorology, as well as many others. There is no military obligation, however, if a Cadet decides to join the US military later on, they may enter at a higher rank and received more in their paycheck from the day first day they enter the military.
Whatever your interests - flight training, computers, communications, photography, survival training, astronomy-there's a place for you in CAP's Cadet Program. Each year, Cadets have the opportunity to participate in special activities at the local, state, regional or national level. Many cadets will have the opportunity to solo fly an airplane for the first time through a flight encampment or academy. Others will enjoy traveling abroad through the International Air Cadet Exchange Program. Still others assist at major air shows throughout the nation.
Cadets receive their first blue Air Force style uniform at no cost and will receive a new member kit with learning materials. Additional activities may have fees to cover lodging and meals. If you are already a pilot, to be eligible to fly a corporate aircraft, the pilot must possess a valid FAA private, commercial or airline pilot certificate; must be an active CAP member at least 17 years in age; and must possess a valid and current medical certificate. You must complete a flight check in the aircraft within the preceding 12 months as well as an annual written examination and annual aircraft questionnaires for each aircraft authorized to fly. The pilot must have 200 PIC hours and 50 cross-country PIC hours to serve as a mission pilot on search and rescue missions. CAP has performed missions for America for 69 years. For more information on CAP in Maryland, visit www.MDCAP.org or call 1-800-FLY-2338.
College Park Squadron meets at College Park Airport, 1909 Corporal Frank Scott Dr. (Hap Arnold Center) College Park, MD 20740 Meeting Wednesdays 7:15-9:15PM. Email mailto:cpcscc@gmail.com for more details.