The Col. Joe W. Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron, Civil Air Patrol

	Civil Air Patrol - The Col. Joe W. Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron SWR-TX-352
	More than meets the skies...

Purpose: To speed up the process of becoming a productive CAP senior member. The first 6 steps are applicable to any senior member.

Note: This document is a work in progress. If you’d like to add, please feel free. Please send me any updates: alan.fenter@earthlink.net

Overview: You will need a CAP Form 101T before you can train for any crew positions or participate in any mission on the ground or in the air. You will need to get to Step 6 below before you qualify to get a 101T. You can qualify to fly the airplane without being qualified to fly on CAP missions (You can fly in the airplane with a just a CAPID card and a uniform). If you are itching to fly, complete Steps 1 thru 4 and then go directly to Step 9.

General Training

1. Attend a few meetings, meet the Squadron members, and learn about our mission. Fill out the application form and fingerprint card. Write a $70 check to CAP National HQ. Give them to the Commander at one of the meetings. The dues for the Phantom Composite Squadron are $60 1^st yr. ($40/yr after the 1^st year).

2. While you are waiting for your CAP membership number, go to www.cap.gov and download the following:

a.CAP Senior Member Fast Start Handbook

b.CAP REGULATION 50-17(E) Cap Senior Member Training Program Read Chapters 1-4 to understand the first 2 levels of training. Level 1 is a high-level orientation. Level 2 is the technical training required to participate in Search and Rescue.

3. Find the training officer and get your Level 1 training. This consists of two videos. If done at the evening meeting, it will take 2 evenings. You need to get Level 1 done before you can do anything where cadets are involved, which is just about everything. You’ll need your CAP member number before they can send in the paperwork, so if you haven’t done Step 1, do it now.

4. Sooner or later, you’ll want to order a uniform. The least expensive option for summer wear is the blue polo shirt with CAP seal (Item number 0964 - $18.31). You wear it with gray pants and black shoes. The phone number for CAPMart (formerly known as the Bookstore) is 888-834-1781. The regulation for uniforms is CAPM 39-1. Senior members have a choice between military (Chapter 2) and civilian style uniforms (Chapter 6). The embroidered CAP polo shirts take 6-8 weeks to order. The cheaper, faster one is mentioned above.

5. Sign up for the next General Emergency Services (GES) course and/or take the test online. It gives you an overview of how CAP participates in search missions and how it works with other agencies. You’ll need to take the course to get your General Emergency Services rating. At the end, you’ll take the CAP116 test (100 questions). You can familiarize yourself with the course material by reading these:

i. CAPR 60-1, CAP Flight Management,

ii. CAPR 60-3, CAP Emergency Services Training & Operational Missions,

iii. CAPR 60-4 Volume I, Part 1&2 Emergency Services Mission Forms,

iv. CAPR 60-4 Volume II, CAP Emergency Services Training Forms,

v. CAPR 60-5, Critical Incident Stress Management,

vi. CAPR 173-3, Payment for Civil Air Patrol Support,

vii. General Emergency Services (GES) Tasks, and the GES Course.

For those of you who would like some additional source material to assist in your preparation of the CAPT116 test, there is a PowerPoint presentation on the National Web site that covers almost all the information needed to pass the second half of the CAPT 116. The link to get to that PowerPoint presentation is: CAP 116 Test info

6. At the end of the course, you will fill out a Form 100 and receive your GES card. Now you are ready for Level II Training. You will need a Form 101T signed by the Squadron Commander before you can participate in any flying training or participate in any ground or air missions.

Aircrew Training

7. The three flying positions are Mission Pilot (front left seat), Observer (front right seat) and Scanner (rear left seat). To qualify as a Mission Pilot or Observer, you must first complete the Scanner course. That doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for all three while you wait.

8. Take the Basic Radio Operators course. You’ll need this for Observer and Mission Pilot

9. You can fly the airplane without Steps 5 thru 8. To fly the airplane, you need to do a few more things (including Steps 1-4).

a. Get proficient. Practice!

b. You’ll need to prove current medical, BFR, and 3 T/O & landings in 90 days.

c. Take the CAPR 60-1 Annual Examination. You can take the exam on line.

d. Complete the Aircraft Questionnaire (CAPR 60-1, page 17)

e. Fill out a Texas Wing Pilot Records Checkist

f. Schedule a Form 5 Check ride with your CAP Check Pilot.

g. Take the Form 5 Check ride. (Show up in uniform – did you skip step 4?)

h. Make copies of your paperwork for personal reference. Reprint any certificates

i. Turn your paperwork in to your squadron Admin and Stan/Eval officer (goes in your pilot folder).

DISCLAIMER: Links or references to individuals or companies does not constitute an endorsement of any information, product or service you may receive from such sources.

Group III, Texas Wing, Civil Air Patrol.