FAQ - The things you need to know.

Q.   How much does membership in CAP cost?
A.  Annual membership dues are broken down in three levels: national, wing/region and squadron. The national dues are $35 for seniors and $25 for cadets. Wing/region dues as well as squadron dues may also apply. The cost of Cadet Sponsor Membership is $25 per year. Total dues to join CAP are ___________ (Your unit leader will fill in the total amount).

Q.  Do members have to wear a uniform?
A.   Cadets must wear a uniform with special CAP insignia. The cadet membership application contains information on how to order one free uniform.  As long as funds are available, the USAF provides a basic blue uniform for the cadets at no charge. Call 334-953-1501 for more information. Senior members who meet the prescribed height/weight standard may wear the USAF style blue uniform.   All senior members may wear one of the distinctive CAP uniforms. Some members choose to serve without wearing a uniform, although one of the CAP uniforms is required in certain instances such as flying in a CAP aircraft or working with cadets.

Q.   What will get out of membership in CAP?
A.   In addition to valuable experience and training in such areas as leadership, communications, aviation and aerospace education - that will be an asset to you throughout your life - you will receive the more  tangible benefits listed under "Member Benefits" (page 3 sidebar).

Q.  Do CAP members have access to military installations?
A.   You will only have access to military installations when participating in CAP events. You will be allowed to shop at the Exchange (BX or PX) only when on official orders and billeted on the base. Authorized uniform items can be purchased any time at the Military Clothing sales store.

Q.   Are non U.S. citizens allowed to join?
A.   Aliens admitted for permanent residence are eligible. Other non citizens - who are able to read, write  and understand English - must request a waiver of the citizenship requirement through the wing and  region commander.

Q.   I'm not a pilot. What am I going to do in CAP?
A.  Whatever your talent or area of interest, there is a need for you. Please refer to the page titled "Specialty Tracks" to find a listing of duties necessary to help a squadron succeed. For a list of what is available at the unit, contact your commander or your mentor.

Q.   What criteria must a pilot meet to fly corporate (CAP) aircraft?
A.   To be eligible to fly a corporate aircraft, the pilot must possess a valid FAA private, commercial or airline pilot certificate, be an active CAP member at least 17 years of age and possess a valid and current medical certificate. The member must have completed a flight check in the aircraft within the preceding 12 months as well as an annual written examination and an annual aircraft questionnaire for each aircraft authorized to fly. The pilot must have 200 PlC hours and 50 cross-country PlC hours to serve as a mission pilot.

Q.   How do a senior squadron, a cadet squadron, a composite squadron and a flight differ?
A.   A senior squadron is open only to senior (adult) members. A cadet squadron is primarily for cadet members, but it must have at least three senior members. A composite squadron is one that is made up of both senior and cadet members. A flight is a smaller version of a squadron and may have its own charter or be part of a squadron. A group oversees and supports several squadrons in a given area. A wing is a state, commonwealth or district headquarters. There is a wing in each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. CAP's eight regions are made up of several wings or states.