CAP Mission Pilot Guide

How to become a CAP Mission Pilot


Below is a systematic list of instructions explaining how to become a Mission Pilot in Civil Air Patrol.  At the Squadron level this can take upwards of a year.  This can be shortened through selection and attendance at the California Wing Mission Aircrew School or the National Emergency Services Academy.

Prerequisites


First Steps

  • You must have earned the Senior Member Level 1, and have attained your General ES (GES) Rating.
  • Qualify as a Mission Scanner.
  • Current CAP Pilot with at least 175 hours PIC and 50 hours of cross-country time. (You can also be designated a Transport Mission Pilot (TMP) at just 100 hours PIC and 50 hours cross-country time.)

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. These classes are offered regularly by Wing, Groups and squadrons.  Ask the Squadron Communications Officer when the next class is scheduled.
  • Complete the following FEMA courses online (if you haven't already done so).
    • Complete FEMA IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System, I-100. 
    • 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 courses 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 SQ188 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/print/review:
    1. SAR/DR Pilot Task Guide
    2. Mission Aircrew Reference Text (MART) - Volume 2 - MO/MP Reference Text
    3. Mission Pilot Slide Presentation
  • Scan the remaining links to other useful documents you may want to print and include in your kneeboard.
  • The CAWG CAPF 91 Practical Test Guide.

Complete Familiarization and Preparatory Tasks

  • Download and print the Mission Pilot Specialty Qualification Training Record (SQTR-MP) from CAP eServices > Operations->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 Pilot Trainee until you have completed all of the Pre-requisites and Familiarization and Preparatory training tasks on the SQTR-MP 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-MP, 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 MP - Mission Pilot. 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 Pilot rating listed on it (it will say *MP 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 mentor Mission Pilot to sign you off on those advanced training tasks you demonstrate proficiency in. It may take you more than two sorties to to earn all the advanced tasks and become proficient with all of the skills expected to pass your CAP Form 91 Mission Pilot check ride.

Practice

  • Practice the various grids either solo or with other aircrew until you are ready for the Form 91.

Schedule your Form 91

  • When your SQTR is complete and updated in eServices, go to the Stan/Eval page and select a Mission Pilot Checkpilot, call and schedule your form 91 checkride. 

To Bring

  • Completed Mission Pilot SQTR, CAPID and 101 cards and a gridded sectional chart, no older than two years.

Complete these Documents

  • Go to the National website, download, print, and complete the top half of a CAPF 91 checkride card.

Pass the oral exam and the check ride

  • Be prepared, relax and have a successful check ride. Remember that the CP is only there to evaluate your flying skills, this is NOT an instructional session.

Post Form 91

  • When you pass the check ride, go back into e-Services, select My Operations Qualifications->Pilot ->Check Rides/Questionnaires->CAPF 91 on the left side and enter the data for your CAPF 91 check ride. 
  • Upload the scanned copies of the CAPF 91 using eServices->My Operations Qualifications->Pilot->CAPF 91->View/Upload Documents->Pilot link and email the Commander for validation.
  • Submitting your F91 in eServices will automatically transfer to complete that task on your SQTR. Assuming all the other tasks are complete, it will go to the Commander, Group and Wing for approval. Once Wing approves, only then will you be a qualified Mission Pilot.
  • Print out a new CAPF 101 Operational Specialty Qualification Card with your qualified Mission Pilot rating listed on it.

Congratulations!!!

  • Go Fly!!!