Civil Air Patrol Glider Flight Program

Brief Introduction to CAP Glider Program

Since the 1960's CAP has had a glider program in place. The early program was mainly focused in the western part of the United States.

In the fall of 1995 the Soaring Society of America (SSA) expressed an interest in partnering with CAP in the promotion of soaring in the United States. SSA had various assets, gliders and personnel, located in their SAA affiliate clubs across the nation while CAP had 25,000 aviation minded young people. SSA realized their membership was aging and the ability to introduce soaring to youth was vital to SSA's future. Initial meetings with SSA leaders and HQ CAP officials determined a relationship would be beneficial to both organizations and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in February 1996.

In May of 1997 the CAP National Executive Committee voted to purchased a Blanik L-23, two-place training glider, for the purpose of conducting a test to assure a glider flight activity could be integrated into a normal CAP wing. The Georgia wing was selected due to its close proximity to CAP Headquarters and strong SSA support. The test was successful and was briefed to the CAP National Executive Committee in November of 1998.

From that time, the CAP glider program, with assistance from new CAP members from SSA affiliate clubs has experienced explosive growth, fulfilling SSA's need to plant the seed of soaring and CAP's mandated requirement to introduce its cadets to aviation. Currently CAP has 38 operating locations using 62 gliders.

Glider Program Manager

Capt. Mark Greenman is the current WAWG Glider Operations Director.

All glider flight information is being published via the WAWG mailing list. Stay tuned to the list for current O-Flight Opportunities.

Glider Courses to prepare for Glider Flights

Blanik L-23 Cockpit Familiarization - A course ideal for introducing glider students to the L-23 cockpit prior to their fisrt training experience.

National Check Pilot Standardization Course - Glider
(Ground School only) - CAPR 60-1, Chapter 5, authorizes CAP Glider Check Pilots to use the National Check Pilot Standardization Course - Glider on-line course in lieu of attending a formal course.

SSF/CAP Wingrunner Course - Administered by the Soaring Safety Foundation and sponsered by CAP, this course serves the world and presents definative guidance on wing runners procedures.

CAP Cadet Orientation Quiz (Glider) - This quiz tests the applicates knowledge of the CAP Pamphlet 52-7, Cadet Orientation Flight Syllabus. Prior to taking the quiz, study the pamphlet here.

Tow Pilot Resources

SSF/CAP Tow Pilot Course - Administered by the Soaring Safety Foundation and sponsered by CAP, this course serves the world and presents definative guidance on tow pilot operations.

• Annual Written Test Instructions for Pilots (PDF, 13 KB)
• CAPR 60-1 CAP Flight Management (PDF, 612 KB)
• EDM 700 Engine Analyzer Manual (PDF, 793 KB)
• FAR 61.69 FAA Requirements for Tow Pilots (PDF, 31 KB)
• Online Tow Pilot Course
• Tow Pilot Test (select from drop-down menu)
• Tow Pilot Training Course Syllabus (PDF, 12 KB)