National Flight Academy - Vermont

National Flight Academy (NFA) is an introductory flight training activity. Cadets will receive 10-15 hours of introductory flight instruction from a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). Flight topics covered will include but not be limited to:

• Fundamental Maneuvers (Straight and Level, Turns, Climbs, Descents)
• Landings
• Slow Flight
• Approach/Landing Stalls
• Takeoff/Departure Stalls
• Emergency Procedures
• Ground Reference Maneuvers
• Forward Slips

Important notes:

• NFAs are intended for cadets with 10 hours or less of logged flight time in the last 12 months.
• Cadets who apply with more than 10 hours will not receive the full benefits of this introductory training activity.
• If you arrive at the NFA, and have already earned your solo endorsement, you are ineligible to participate in this introductory flight training activity and will be sent home at your own expense.

Additionally, cadets get the opportunity to work with aviation professionals, civilian and military, who share their expertise on how to prepare for a career as an aviator.

For those interested in a career as a pilot, this is your first step towards a private pilot certificate and could help you achieve items on the Cadet Wings "ideal candidate" list if you solo!

Contact for Activity: dwojtowicz@ner.cap.gov

Activity Facebook Group for Participants, Parents, and Alumni: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AQitcFEfa/

Registration Prerequisites

The following are required at the time of application

• Must be age 16 by activity start date
• Must be under the age for 21 at end of activity
• Must have Encampment credit
• Must have updated CAP in prior 30 days
• Must hold a valid, signed Student Pilot Certificate or submit a planning document how you will meet this participation requirement by April 15. You’ll be required to upload a PDF of the document
• Must hold a valid, signed FAA 3^rd Class Medical or submit a planning document how you will meet this participation requirement by April 15. You’ll be required to upload a PDF of the document

Follow the instructions in Registration Zone to upload your Student Pilot Certificate and FAA 3^rd Class Medical or a planning document on how you will meet these participation requirement during the application process.

Initial Requirements for Slotted Cadets:

Must submit a valid, signed Student Pilot Certification and a valid, signed FAA 3rd Class Medical to your Activity Director no later than April 15, 2027 in order to keep your slot.

Attendance Prerequisites for Slotted Cadets:

The following are required prior to arrival at the activity

• Hold a government issued photo identification card (driver’s license or photo identification card issued by your state or federal government)
• Proof of citizenship as outline by the TSA here: http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/uscitizen.html
  • If you are not a US citizen, please contact the activity director when you are slotted for steps required before you can participate.
• Your Pilot Logbook, if you have logged hours
• Complete Sporty's Learn to Fly online ground school (provided to CAP cadets at no cost after the completion of their first orientation flight)

Important note:

Cadets may be allowed to solo if they meet the requirements in CFR 61.87 and CAPR 70-1

Miscellaneous:

You are not eligible to attend a powered flight academy if:

• You have already attended a CAP powered flight academy
• You have already earned a solo rating
• You are enrolled in Cadet Wings

Applicant Resources:

How to apply for Student Pilot Certificate

• Go to https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx to create an account and begin application.
• Go to https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/HelpandInfo.aspx?id=5 for help on creating account and applying for a student pilot certificate. 

How to get an FAA 3^rd Class Medical

• To locate an Aviation Medical Examiner in your area, go to www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification

Staff Application Information

Cadets: There are no Cadet Staff positions at this activity.

Senior Members: 

• Must be current in Cadet Protection Prgram Training
• Must have updated CAP Health in the prior 30 days

Opportunities for those with cadet supervision, primary flight instruction, mission administration, and/or mission operations experience. Each NFA specifically needs:

• Cadet Activity Officer
• Flight Instructors - At a minimum, must be a current CAP Instructor Pilot (Check Pilot status Preferred)
• Ground Instructors - Must be an appropriately rated FAA Ground of Flight Instructor
• CAP Van Drivers - Must hold a valid CAP Drivers Permit for a 12pax van

Apply in Registration Zone

Applications will be accepted from 15 December through 15 January at 12pm Central.  

Parent, Unit and Wing Approval deadlines must be met in order for an application to be considered. 

All participant and staff applications must be submitted via Registration Zone in eServices. 

Lift/Top is a needs-based financial assistance program. If selected as a Lift/Top recipient, your activity tuition will be paid by NHQ and you may have the option to receive a partial travel reimbursement towards round trip transportation to and from the activity. Lift/Top recipients must accept their slot in writing in order to receive this financial support.

CAP Cadet Scholarships: Through the generosity of our supporting donors, some CAP scholarships focus on supporting cadet attendance at NCSAs through a merit-based application process. Please see the Scholarship page to see the full list of available Activity Scholarships.

How to apply:

• Applications for both Lift/Top and CAP Scholarships are located in Registration Zone.
• You must apply for each program for which you wish to be considered.
• Lift/Top and each CAP Cadet Scholarship have their own individual Registration Zone events, separate from activity applications.

Important:

• Applying for these financial support programs does not guarantee financial assistance will be offered.
• Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity.
• You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity.
• You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.

The deadline to apply for these financial support programs is 15 January at 12pm Central. No late applications will be accepted. 

• Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior

• Activity Director determines course objectives met

• Activity Staff will communicate travel instructions to slotted participants.

• Required Staff Training: TBD