For frequent readers on this post, you may have noticed a lack of any and all piloting related activity lately. The last flight I made was in January with Jen H ride along and then nothing. It's sad, I've missed flying, but it's all because I've been waiting for my new membership card as I am now inactive in the aero club.
I am now a 2nd Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol, the non-saluting, fake-military type of 2nd Lieutenant. I say that because technically it is the Air Force Auxiliary and they have uniforms, but seriously when I can choose to wear a polo shirt for a uniform, it really is fake military. Some people actually show up to the meetings in full BDUs, which I personally find kind of stupid since I am married to and know so many actual veterans it would be silly to pretend it is actually the military. I digress.
So anyway, my member information finally arrived yesterday and I am officially now a Civil Air Patrol pilot. What does that mean you ask? For now it means I have access to a cheaper airplanes C-172s and C-182s. Although, much nicer and newer for that cheaper cost, the 182s even with Garmin G1000 glass cockpits! For my first task, I am going to get my complex airplane rating (more than 200hp) so I can then fly the 182s solo. After I build some more hours (need 100, have 60), I will start flying transport missions (e.g. disaster relief supplies, move airplanes to staging locations, etc) and high-bird missions (e.g. homeland security with hyper-spectral imaging cameras type stuff). I will also, in the meantime, get certified as a scanner to fly right seat on search and rescue missions and do the "looking" part of searching. I need 175 hrs to actually fly search and rescue missions because they are low altitude activities.
I am looking forward to the flying, my big thing was have a reason to fly because $100 hamburgers get pretty boring. Plus, its been awhile since I did any volunteer activities and this way I get to give back in a way that I will really enjoy. For more information on the CAP try their www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
13 years ago
5 comments:
Although I greatly enjoyed my $100 hamburger, I think it's cool that you're doing this!
There will still be $100 hamburger opportunities for you, just a whole lot better reasons to fly in between!
Very cool. I haven't been flying since late February, and that was just some pattern time. It's hard to find time now that I don't have a specific goal for it.
Awesome! I'm jealous that polo shirts are now considered uniform... I used to be in the Coast Guard Aux and we had to where the full get up - big orange vest with bells and whistles included to count the service. Embarrassing! You get a tax write off for your expenses though!
Hey, nice on the SAR...they can always use more people. I've thought about getting the training needed for on-the-ground SAR, but it's quite a lot...probably why so many are in a similar field (medics, mountain guides, etc.). SAR in WA is probably more interesting than TX though...hmmm, maybe you should come back. ;)
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