Pilot Qualification Requirements

Note - All personnel seeking to qualify or re-qualify as CAP pilots should also consult CAPR 60-1 and Virginia Wing's Supplement 1 to CAPR 60-1. Together, these two documents provide the definitive detailed guidance on CAP pilot qualification requirements, and together should be regarded as the final authority. Under the Virginia Wing's Paperless Wing pages, you will find Instructor Pilots and Check Pilots listed under Operations.

CAP Solo Airplane Pilot  CAP Solo Glider Pilot
CAP Airplane Pilot CAP Glider Pilot
Powered O-Flight Pilot  Glider O-Flight Pilot
Mission SAR/DR Pilot Mission Transport Pilot
Instructor Pilot (Airplane) Instructor Pilot (Glider)
Check Pilot (Airplane) Check Pilot (Glider)
Towplane Pilot Flight Release

 

 

What do I need to be a CAP Solo Airplane Pilot?

(CADETS ONLY)

REQUIREMENT ISSUING AUTHORITY
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 16  
Have a Valid Student Pilot's Certificate FAA
Have a current Class III Medical FAA
Have a logbook solo endorsement in appropriate aircraft FAA-authorized CFI
Have a CAP solo endorsement CAP Instructor Pilot

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What do I need to be a CAP Solo Glider Pilot?

REQUIREMENT ISSUING AUTHORITY
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 14  
Have a Valid Student Pilot's Certificate FAA
Have a logbook solo endorsement in appropriate glider FAA-authorized CFI
Have a CAP solo endorsement CAP Instructor Pilot
Have logged 30 dual instruction training flights CAP Instructor Pilot

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What do I need to be a CAP Airplane Pilot?

REQUIREMENT ISSUING AUTHORITY NOTES
Be an active CAP Member    
Be at least 17   Over 18 to carry passengers
Have a Pilot's Certificate FAA PPL, CPL or ATP
Have a current Class III Medical FAA Class I or II also ok
Have a valid BFR FAA Within past 24 months
Pass  CAPF5 written test Consult CAPR 60-1 before taking the test  Within past 12 months
Complete Aircraft Questionnaire See CAPR 60-1 Attachment 3 Within past 12 months
Complete form CAPF5 CAP   
Complete VA Wing Form 6 Virginia Wing
Complete CAPF5 check ride Virginia Wing check pilot Within past 12 months

Bring your completed VA Form 6, CAPF5, aircraft questionnaire, and completed aircraft test paper, together with license, BFR,  and medical for presentation to the check pilot at the time you take your check ride.

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What do I need to be a CAP Glider Pilot?

REQUIREMENT ISSUING AUTHORITY NOTES
Be an active CAP Member    
Be at least 16    
Have a Pilot's Certificate FAA PPL, CPL or ATP
Have a valid BFR FAA Within past 24 months
Pass CAPF5 written test Consult CAPR 60-1 before taking the test Within past 12 months
Complete Glider Questionnaire See CAPR 60-1 Attachment 4 Within past 12 months
Complete Form CAPF5G CAP  
Complete VA Wing Form 6 Virginia Wing
Complete CAPF5 check ride Virginia Wing check pilot Within past 12 months

Bring your completed VA Form 6,  CAPF5, aircraft questionnaire, license, BFR, and completed aircraft test paper for presentation to the check pilot at the time you take your check ride.

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What do I need to be a Pilot
for Cadet/AFROTC Powered Orientation Flights?

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 21 18-20 with valid  CFI certificate
Have 200 hrs PIC in category & class 300 hours for AFROTC
Be a CAP Airplane Pilot See CAP Airplane Pilot requirements above
Demonstrate knowledge of orientation flight program to a CAP check pilot Check pilot must annotate Form 5 for orientation flights
Complete and submit VA Wing Form 7 to Wing Headquarters  
Be appointed Orientation Pilot by Wing Commander

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What do I need to be a Pilot
for Cadet/AFROTC Glider Orientation Flights?

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 21 18-20 with valid  CFIG certificate
Have either a) 50 hrs PIC in gliders or b) 100 flights in gliders or c) 50 flights in gliders in past 12 months Current CFIG status also acceptable
Be a CAP Glider Pilot See CAP Glider Pilot requirements above
Demonstrate knowledge of orientation flight program to a CAP check pilot Check pilot must annotate Form 5 for orientation-flights
Complete and submit VA Wing Form 7 to Wing Headquarters  
Be appointed Glider Orientation Pilot by Wing Commander

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What do I need to be a SAR/DR Mission Pilot?

  REQUIREMENT NOTES
1 Be an active CAP Member  
2 Be at least 18  
3 Be a CAP Airplane Pilot See CAP Airplane Pilot requirements above
4 Have 175 hours logged as PIC Must include 50 hours cross-country
5 Have a valid general ES 101 card Issued upon completion of general Emergency Services training at the squadron level 
6 Be a qualified Mission Scanner See 101T-MS requirements
7 Apply for a CAPF 101T-MP card Will be issued upon completion of Requirements 1-6. 
8 Complete Familiarization and Preparatory Training  See 101T-MP requirements
9 Complete Advanced Training  See 101T-MP requirements. Includes Form 91 Mission Pilot Checkout
10 Participate in two exercises as a SAR/DR Mission Pilot Trainee Required under 101T-MP 
11 Be appointed SAR/DR pilot Signature of Wing Commander on 101T-MP 

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What do I need to be a Transport Mission Pilot?

Note: SAR/DR mission pilots automatically qualify as Transport Mission Pilots

Note: Transport Mission Pilots may fly "High Bird" communications sorties
in addition to ferrying CAP ES personnel, parts, equipment, or aircraft

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 18   
Have a valid general ES 101 card Issued upon completion of general Emergency Services training at the squadron level 
Be a CAP Airplane Pilot See CAP Airplane Pilot requirements above
Have 100 hours logged as PIC Must include 50 hours PIC cross-country

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What do I need to be an Airplane Instructor Pilot?

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 18  
Be an FAA-certified CFI  
Be a CAP Airplane Pilot qualified in the aircraft type See CAP Airplane Pilot requirements above
Be designated in writing as an instructor pilot by Wing Commander Alternatively, by current Executive Director, Region Commander, or their designee

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What do I need to be a Glider Instructor Pilot?

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 18  
Have a current Commercial or ATP certificate from FAA  
Be an FAA-certified CFI in gliders  
Be a current CAP Glider Pilot See CAP Glider Pilot requirements above
Be designated in writing as an instructor pilot by Wing Commander Alternatively, by current Executive Director, Region Commander, or their designee

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What do I need to be a Glider Check Pilot?

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 18  
Have a current Commercial or ATP certificate from FAA  
Be an FAA-certified CFI in gliders  
Be a current CAP Glider Pilot  See CAP Glider Pilot requirements above
Have at least three months' experience as a CAP Glider Pilot See Virginia Wing Supplement 1 to CAPR 60-1
Have logged at least 50 hours as CFI See Virginia Wing Supplement 1 to CAPR 60-1
Must demonstrate knowledge of CAPR 60-1, VA Wing's Supplement 1 to CAPR 60-1, and the FAA Practical Test Standards
Complete the National Check Pilot Standardization Course (NCPSC) Prior to appointment; every 4 years thereafter
Be designated in writing as a check pilot by Wing Commander Alternatively, by current Executive Director, Region Commander, or their designee

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What do I need to be a Glider Towplane Pilot?

REQUIREMENT NOTES
Be an active CAP Member  
Be at least 18  
Be a CAP Airplane Pilot qualified in the aircraft type See CAP Airplane Pilot requirements above
Have logged at least 100 hours in the tow plane's category, class, and type FAR 61.69
Have logbook endorsement from a CFI(G) that you have received ground and flight  instruction in gliders in the areas specified in  61.69(a)(3)(i-iv). FAR 61.69
Have logbook endorsement from an accompanying  pilot already qualified under (61.69(a)(4) that you have accomplished  three actual or simulated glider tows aloft. FAR 61.69
Meets the currency requirements of 61.69(a)(6) within the last 12 months (three actual or simulated tows accompanied by a towplane pilot qualified under this section OR three flights as the PIC of a glider while under tow.) FAR 61.69

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What do I need to get a CAP Flight Release?

DOCUMENT ON FILE IN HARD COPY ISSUING AUTHORITY
Pilot's Certificate FAA
Current Medical FAA
Current Biennial Flight Review FAA
CAP Form 5 CAP
CAP Form 5 Examination paper or certificate CAP
Completed aircraft questionnaire in type of aircraft to be released CAP
Signed Statement of Understanding CAP
Copy of CAP Membership Card CAP
Radio Operator Authorization Number CAP
Copy of VA Form 6 signed by CFI CAP Virginia Wing

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