The Civil Air Patrol

VAWG Group 2 Cadet Orientation Flight Page
Last update: Thursday, 2008.10.23 @ 2125L EDT(-5) 0125Z
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A Glider Operations Briefing Document

  • A Glider Operations Briefing given at CPK on 24-Feb-08.

    A Note to our Personnel:

    Group 2 Cadet Orientation Flight Personnel:

    I want to personally thank you for committing your time and effort toward helping CAP cadets experience the freedom and technical challenge of fight. Our focus is upon Group 2 cadets and streamlining the process of making contacts and arrangements to bring all the resources together at one time for safe and time efficient operations.

    I am confident that if we communicate frequently and have a committment to our goal that resources will remain available. Squadron Commanders, please designate an adult member in your squadron to work with scheduling the cadets so that all have the opportunity to fly on a regular and equitable basis.

    In my view Cadets will not schedule their own flights with the pilot. An adult coordinator (or responsible cadet with adult supervision) or the pilot should perform this function. In addition, I think you would agree that we must avoid the appearance of favoritism toward any cadet, including one's own. This can be successfully accomplished provided we consistently follow a published and well communicated plan.

    Regulations

    There are prerequisites that must be satisfied according to regulation. Compliance with these requirements are not constant, and must be checked each time for complicity by the pilot or coordinator before the flight occurs.

    • Cadets must be current CAP members.
    • Cadets must be attending meetings regularly or be on leave with proper notification.
    • Cadets must wear a proper uniform (BDU's or Blues, BDU's preferred). New cadets may fly without insignia.
    • Cadets must conform to proper grooming standards.
    • Cadets must have their CAP ID card physically present on their person at the time of flight.

    Guidelines

    I would suggest the following as a guideline to prioritizing the cadet flight priority list:

    • Cadets who are nearly 18.
    • Cadets who are preparing to leave the area (i.e. military/family move).
    • Cadets who are new who have never flown before.
    • Cadets who have not flown in the longest period of time.

    Note: Cadets who are 18 and over may not participate in the orientation flight program. That means neither front or rear seat as an observer. CAP senior members may go along as observers in the back seat as long as weight and balance limits are not exceeded.

    Feel free to call me anytime with requests or concerns that you have. My cell is the best way to reach me at 757.817.2129.

    James E. Byrd, Capt, CAP

    October 2008+

    The Aircraft

    This Blanik L-23 flight Manual is not specific in serial number to the VA Wing Blanik L-23 glider but has useful training information to familiarize our members with this class of glider's controls, safety features, and technical specifications.

    This information could become dated so visit the VAWG - Paperless Wing - Aircraft Status page to obtain the most current information.

    VAWG Documentation Requirements

    Before:

    • To schedule one of the airplanes in the VA Wing, go to Flight Schedule Pro (FSP). Be sure and check the Hobbs, squawks, and 50/100 hour maintenance items. Permission to access FSP can be obtained from Maj Mike Portanova by calling 757.291.7793.
    • A (changing) monthly mission number is published via VAWG-INFO about 4 days before the beginning of the next month by the State USAF Liasion Officer Mr. Don Burke. Keep this data with you as you will need it to fill out the A/C books and VA form 11.

    During:

    • Be sure to obtain a Flight Release from a VAWG Flight Release Officer before departure.
    • Fly the mission with an A-15 misson designation and keep the A/C books up to date.
    • Be sure to call the Flight Release Officer when the flight is complete.

    After:

    • To refuel, use the Multiservice credit card. Sign and keep the receipt.
    • The flight data into WMIRS such as Pilot, Cadet, rear seat cadets, delta Hobbs, delta Tach, fuel consumption and cost, and the monthly mission number with Mission symbol A15 for powered flights.
      • The A/C book
      • A paper VA form 11 with the original receipt attached and sent to Wing Headquarters via mail.

    Initial Cadet Orientation Pilot Training, Certification and Documentation

    Pilots who want to become rated as cadet orientation flight pilots must have more than 200h PIC, pass the cadet orientation flight quiz, pass a F5 flight with cadet endorsement. One can prepare themselves for the exam by checking into the Flight Operations link.

    If the pilot is not planning to fly ROTC cadets, the pilot should take the "Cadet Orientation Quiz Powered - Without ROTC" (15 questions) exam. Present the certificate of completion to your Unit Commander so they can endorse and forward the the Cadet Orientation Pilot designation to the Wing Commander for approval.

    The total envelope of pilot qualifications is extensive and will not be presented here. However the majority are found in the regulation CAP Flight Management CAPR 60-1.

    The phamplet for cadet orientation flights is found in the Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus CAPP 52-7.

    Pilots, if it is the cadet's first flight in either glider or powered airplane, please remember to sign the first flight certificate (last page of CAPP 52-7) and forward it to their Unit Commander for their signature before presenting it to the cadet.

    Vehicle tow personnel are operating CAP vehicles and must have a VAWG CAP driver's license. The minimum age is 18 driving alone and 21 if passengers are present.

    All glider ground handlers (adult & cadet) are required to study & pass the Glider Wing Runner Course (GWR) exam and have proof of this with the certificate. Responsible cadets aged 14+ who have passed the exam are permitted to work on the flight line as glider wing runners.

    To form a glider operations crew, one needs at a minimum:

    • 1 Airboss
    • 1 Glider Pilot
    • 1 Glider Tow Pilot
    • 1 Ground Tow Driver
    • 3 Glider Handlers, one must be a senior member.
    • 1 Additional Senior who supervises the cadets and on-site scheduling.

    Letters of Clarification

    The following link(s) are reproduction of clarifications concerning orientation flights:

    In short, the above link communicates:

    A CAP private pilot approved by the Wing Commander or his/her designee to fly CAP cadet orientation flights may do so and may log the time but may not use that logged time in furtherance of an additional FAA certificate or rating or for meeting the recent flight experience requirements of FAR part 61.

    Additional Sources for Information

    Many additional questions are often asked about the proper conduct of cadet orientation flights. The best source of officially recognized answers from National Headquarters can be found on the CAP Knowledgebase - Find Answers About CAP (link). Use the keywords "orientation flights" in order to obtain links to helpful answers.

    How to Schedule

    It is been my experience that the following priority list in scheduling the orientation flights works well, since there are a number of layered dependencies.

    • The squadron level orientation flight coordinator contacts one of the orientation pilots (anywhere in the VAWG, including other groups but preferrably local to themselves), or a pilot may become available and should take the initiative to contact an orientation flight coordinator to begin scheduling cadets. Both coordinator and pilot should verify:

      • Wing funding is available for cadet orientation flights.
      • The pilot's ratings are current for the type of aircraft and the pilot is a designated cadet orientation pilot.
      • An aircraft can be committed to the selected location for operations.
      • A date and time to begin operations is agreed upon.

    • The pilot will keep eye on the weather and the flight readiness status of the airplane and inform the squadron level flight coordinator in advance of any changes in plan.
    • The squadron level orientation flight coordinator will have a list of cadets ready to go and will call the cadets for confirmation, rescheduling, or cancellation.

    Other Important Items

    Please heed the following:

    Pilots:

    • Pilots, do not forget to obtain a flight release before proceeding.
    • Pilots, make sure there is an understanding with parents about when you plan to return.
    • Pilots, perform a weight and balance check for all permutations of cadet seating.
    • Pilots, remember the syllabus #8 flight (stalls) is for one cadet only in the front seat. No rear seat passengers are permitted.

    Coordinators:

    • Coordinators, inform the cadets who fly in the glider they must not wear combat boots during the flight. They must wear tennis shoes or some other kind of light footwear.
    • Coordinators, help the pilot by scheduling the cadet load in such a way that when one heavier than average cadet is involved, schedule two lighter than average cadets. If there are two much heavier than average cadets involved, then schedule only those two cadets and leave the third seat empty. My experience has led me to believe that the average fully-uniformed cadet weighs about 145 lbf.
    • Coordinators, try to schedule the airplane to be full each time (except for syllabus #8) as long as weight and balance margins are safely met as determined by the pilot. Back seat experience is valuable and a lot of learning goes on there too.

    Cadets:

    • Cadets should know the syllabus they are to study and have reviewed it and associated aerospace educational material before the flight occurs.
    • Cadets have the responsibility for informing the squadron level coordinator well before the flight if they are unable to participate. This will permit the inclusion of a substitute cadet if necessary.
    • Cadets will either wear a headset or have ear protection. There should be no exposed ears on powered flights.
    • Cadets who are taking medication must inform the pilot before the flight.
    • Cadets are not aircrew. Cadets must recognize however they have a shared duty to assist the pilot avoid obstacles on the ground and sight air traffic in the air.
    • Cadets who become ill on a flight must inform the pilot immediately.

    Post-flight (all):

    • Pilots, after the flight, all property is to be accounted for and the airplane/glider is to be left clean and properly secured. The cadets will assist the pilot and/or ground crew as requsted.
    • Pilots, remember to inform the flight release officer that you have returned. Otherwise, you give us reason to begin the process of looking for you and those cadets under your charge.
    • Pilots, if it is the cadet's first flight in either glider or powered airplane, please remember to sign the First Flight Certificate (the last page of CAPP 52-7) and forward it to their Unit Commander for their signature before presenting it to the cadet.
    • The Pilot or Coordinator will not leave the airport until all cadets have been picked up by family members or have departed in their own vehicles.
    • Cadets, remember to thank the pilot and/or coordinator for their time and interest in you. A little thanks goes a long way.

    Safety Conciousness

    CAP SAFETY PLEDGE

    As a Civil Air Patrol member I pledge to promote an uncompromising safety environment for myself and others, and to prevent the loss of, or damage to Civil Air Patrol assets entrusted to me. I will perform all my activities in a professional and safe manner, and will hold myself accountable for my actions in all of our Missions for America

    Summary Activity Ranking

    As of 27-Oct-05:
    Location# Cadets% Glider% Power% Of All
    Possible Flights
    (% glider + % power)/2
    VA-140 Hummel Flight80%5%2.5%
    VA-025 Langley Composite382.1%3.7%2.9%
    VA-064 Byrd Field Cadet140%5.7%2.9%
    VA-095 Coastal Composite320%6.3%3.2%
    VA-089 West Richmond Cadet274.4%5.2%4.8%
    VA-035 Tidewater Composite120%13.3%6.7%
    VA-094 Hanover Co Composite121.7%16.7%9.2%
    VA-141 Hampton Roads Composite244.4%14.2%9.3%
    VA-088 Newport News Composite391.5%19.0%10.3%
    VA-060 Southside Composite434.2%25.1%14.7%

    As of 24-Feb-06:
    Location# Cadets% Glider% Power% Of All
    Possible Flights
    (% glider + % power)/2
    VA-095 Coastal Composite280.0%6.4%3.2%
    VA-025 Langley Composite441.8%5.5%3.7%
    VA-064 Byrd Field Cadet130.0%10.8%5.4%
    VA-089 West Richmond Cadet294.1%7.6%5.9%
    VA-035 Tidewater Composite120.0%11.7%5.9%
    VA-141 Hampton Roads Composite205.0%13.0%9.0%
    VA-088 Newport News Composite360.0%18.9%9.5%
    VA-094 Hanover Co Composite121.6%18.3%10.0%
    VA-140 Hummel Flight90%22.2%11.1%
    VA-060 Southside Composite444.1%31.8%18.0%