Mission Observer Guide

Mission Observer Guide 


 Are you a CAP member over 18 years of age?

  • You're not a pilot?  Or, are you a pilot with less than 175 hours pilot-in-command time?
  • Do you like to go flying?
  • Would you like to help with CAP's Emergency Services mission, particularly by helping to find missing aircraft and ELTs?
If your answers to these questions are yes, you are a good candidate to become a Mission Observer.  It will take some hard work but has several benefits:
  • It will give you the chance to fly with experienced pilots, and if you are a low-time pilot, soak up some of their skills.
  • It will improve your pilotage (navigation by outside visual reference).
  • It will give you the satisfaction of setting a very complex and long-term goal and (eventually) achieving that goal through hard work and perseverance.

How to become a CAP Mission Observer

Below is a step-by-step list of instructions explaining how to become a Mission Observer in Civil Air Patrol.

Prerequisites   Senior Member Level 1, General ES (GES) Rating, Mission Scanner Rating.


First Steps


Complete these Tests

  • Take and pass the online test labelled "GES 117 Continuing Education Part 2." by log into eServices and selecting Learning Management System from the left side menu then under the Emergency Services heading select  "GES 117 Continuing Education Part 2.". Download and print the certificate. 
  • Obtain a CAP ICUT qualification. 

  1. Go to eServices, and select Online Learning/Learning Management System from the blue menu on the left side 
  2. Scroll down the page to Communications section
  3. Select Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT) - Take all Lessons then take the Exam.


  • Complete the following FEMA courses online (if you haven't already done so).
    • Complete FEMA IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents.
    • Complete FEMA IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction.
    • Enter your completion of these online course using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Single Person by clicking the check box to the left of ISX00 - IS-X00, entering the date of the exam and clicking submit at the bottom of the page.  Upload the scanned copy of the IS-X00.a usingeServices->My Operations Qualifications->101 Card->View/Upload Documents->Emergency Services Tab and select ISX00, and eMail the SQ150 Emergency Services Officer (or provide a hardcopy) for validation.

Study this material

  • Click on Aircrew and Flightline Materials at the NESA Aircrew Emergency Services Curriculum web pages and read and review:
    1. Mission Observer Task Guide
    2. Mission Aircrew Reference Text (MART) - Volume 2 - MO/MP Reference Text
    3. Mission Observer Slide Presentation
  • Scan the remaining links to other useful documents you may want to print and include in your kneeboard.

Complete Familiarization and Preparatory Tasks

  • You will need to study the Aircrew & Flightline Task Guide and be evaluated by a qualified skills evaluator (ask to see the black diamond beside MO on their 101 card) on these tasks prior to any training flights:
    • O-2002 Operate the Aircraft Radios
    • O-2011 Operate the VOR and DME
    • O-2012 Operate the GPS
    • O-2108 Assist in ELT Searches
    • O-2109 Assist in Planning and Performing a Route Search
    • O-2109 Assist in Planning and Performing a Parallel Search
    • O-2109 Assist in Planning and Performing a Creeping Line Search

  • Download and print the Mission Observer Specialty Qualification Training Record (SQTR-MP) from CAP eServices > Utilities > My Operations Qualifications > Emergency Services > SQTR Entry/Worksheet > Print the SQTR Worksheet, and bring this with you to all training and missions to obtain sign-offs. Note that you cannot act as a Mission Observer Trainee until you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and Familiarization and Preparatory training tasks on the SQTR-MO and the Commander has approved the "Commander approval" tasks for completion of both the "Prerequisite" and the "Familiarization and Preparatory" training sections of the SQTR.

Print CAPF 101

  • Once you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and the Familiarization and Preparatory tasks in the SQTR-MO, enter the CAPID, date of completion and mission number (optional) into e-Services. Login to e-Services and click on the My Operations Qualifications/National Reports link on the left side and then select Emergency Services from the ribbon bar at the top and then click YES. Click on the SQTR Entry tab, then for the Achievement field select MO - Mission Observer. Then enter all of the information for each task completed. Then print out a new CAPF 101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card with your trainee Mission Observer rating listed on it (it will say *MO on the card).

Uniform

  • Wear a Nomex Flight and black boots with the appropriate badges and name tag.  For detailed purchase and wear instructions, click Here.

Complete Two Missions

  • Participate in a minimum of two separate missions (exercises, actual missions or even on proficiency flights) and record your participation on the SQTR. Ask your qualified Mission Pilot/Observer skills evaluator (ask to see the black diamond beside MO on their 101 card) to sign you off on those Advanced training tasks you demonstrate proficiency in. It may take you more than two sorties to earn all the Advanced tasks and become proficient with all of the skills expected and to complete your Mission Observer rating.

Post Second Mission

  • Participate in a minimum of two sorties (exercises, actual mission or even on proficiency flights) and record your participation on the SQTR. Request your qualified Mission Pilot/Observer skills evaluator (ask to see the black diamond beside MO on their 101 card) sign you off on those Advanced training tasks you demonstrated proficiency in. Once all Advanced training tasks are completed, go back into e-Services and fill them in online, and notify the SQ150 Emergency Services Officer for Validation. Keep a copy for yourself. Once approved by the Squadron and Group ES Officer online, you should then be approved as a qualified Mission Observer.
  • Print out a new CAPF 101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card with your qualified Mission Observer rating listed on it.

Congratulations!!!


  • Go Fly!
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