Become a CAP Pilot
Answer the Call - Fly with us!
Join the ranks of those piloting America's largest single-engine fleet. Fly missions for America and help invest in its aviation future!
Civil Air Patrol flies primarily Cessna 172s and 182 in service to local communities - homeland security, search and rescue, disaster relief and other operations at local, state or federal agencies' request. Becoming a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot can be rewarding and fulfilling, as a CAP pilot you are given the opportunity to fly aircraft that are part of the world’s largest fleet of Cessna aircraft. In CAP’s status as the auxiliary of the US Air Force, the Air Force provides funds for us to procure aircraft to replace our aircraft as they age and to perform maintenance.
As a pilot, you’ll come into the organization as a VFR pilot but depending on experience you can quickly move from VFR pilot to Transport Mission pilot to Mission pilot. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with and fly cadets as an orientation pilot. Although getting checked out in a CAP aircraft can seem daunting at times, you will be assigned a mentor pilot who has already gone through the process to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Two great resources with more information about onboarding as a Civil Air Patrol pilot are the Pilot Onboarding webpage and the CAPP 70-12 Pilot Onboarding Pamphlet.
Below is a listing of the primary pilot qualifications. By clicking on the qualification link, you will be taken to a page that will step you through the qualification requirements.