TOP Flight Funding: FY24 funding is loaded and every wing can participate in TOP flights. 

• For Educator Members: Check with your state's volunteer Director of AE (list found HERE) to request a TOP flight by telling the DAE where you live in the state. (TOP flights are for an AE member or any squadron member who is an educator.) 

• For Wing DAEs: It is imperative that as the PoC for the TOP flight program in your wing you stay in close contact with your Wing DO or designee to ensure all are ready to coordinate flights for the teachers as soon as they request a flight.  (Read the TOP Flight Guide and check out the new online evaluation link- and QR code, below.)

• See TOP flight, COVID-style video HERE! 

• View a TOP flight video with school principal at the controls, and good description of CAP's programs, below.

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Teacher Orientation Program (TOP ) Flight Info for Educators:

One of the most exciting benefits of being a Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Member (AEM) or a squadron member who is an educator is the opportunity to take a Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flight in a CAP airplane, with an experienced CAP pilot, at a local airport. See TOP Flight story HERE.  

• This exhilarating program includes a pre-flight briefing explaining the parts and purposes of the airplane -- then,  an actual airplane flight, with the teacher given the opportunity to take the controls in the front seat to connect aviation principles with school curriculum to share with students! 

• If possible, the pilot can design the flight plan to fly over the school with students watching from the ground. The teacher or principal can speak to the students on the ground via cell phone to ground speaker. 

• Taking videos and/or photos to share the experience with students, OR., even live-streaming this flight will transfer flight excitement to youth in hopes of greater interest in STEM subjects using the aviation theme. 

• CHECK OUT THIS TOP FLIGHT VIDEO!  

• Also, check out this 10-minute video to get an idea of what to expect during a CAP teacher flight and see how the students are involved in math on the ground.   Read the accompanying article which tells more about how the students were involved. WOW!

Educators, please consider this. . .

It is more fun to fly with a friend! Thus, educators are encouraged to ask a peer to also join as a CAP AEM. Then, the two can fly together! 

Another option is for a school or school system to schedule a TOP Flight Day with CAP and make it a grand event with media coverage involved!  TOP flights can even be conducted as a part of an educator workshop at an airport or an aviation museum.

• NOTE: All participants must be CAP members with a current CAP ID#, either an AE member (AEM) or a squadron member who is an educator. For information about the CAP AEM program - how to join and all free member benefits, go to the Educators Page.

• To receive a TOP flight, teachers should find their state's Director of Aerospace Education HERE.  They should send an e-mail requesting a flight in the city/state in which they live. The teacher's CAP ID# should also be included. (If a reply from the state's DAE is not received within a week, contact ae@capnhq.gov for assistance.)

• Please allow at least a month for planning for a TOP flight.  Weather, availability of planes/pilots, etc. all impact final flight coordination.

• TOP Flight Certificate  Please print your certificate and take with you in case the pilot does not bring one. Ask your pilot to sign the certificate and have some take photos of the certificate presentation, 

• TOP Flight Evaluation  (NEW electronic version!)   The pilot will probably ask you to complete a TOP flight survey after your flight.  If not, please click the link HERE or use the QR code below to submit your survey.  Although your personal info is there, this will not be shared with the pilot or anyone else. We use the surveys to better keep our teacher flight program a valuable benefit of teachers' membership.  

  • Also, please send any videos or photos to ae@capnhq.gov so we can share your experience on social media (@CAPaerospace).   

                                         QR Code for quick online evaluation submission below:

                                                                 

***SEE TOP FLIGHT FAQs for Educators, below!

TOP Flight Resources/Info for CAP Wing Directors of Aerospace Education (in coordination with Directors of Operations/TOP flight pilots):

• TOP Flight Handbook/Guide -  General guidance for Wing DAEs, who are the Wing PoCs for TOP flights. Can be used by anyone involved in TOP flights. NOTE: Coordination between Wing DAE and Wing DO (or designee) is paramount.   

• Contact ae@capnhq.gov with any questions beyond this Guide.  Ensure AEM(s) will not expire by the time of the flight.

         * To fly 1-2 educators, an additional educational session about our aerospace/STEM products and programs is optional depending on time, and, if the AE member desires more at the airport.

         * To fly a large group of educators, it is imperative  that the DAE is involved with the Operations team (plane/pilot coordination), and seeks assistance from other AEOs to conduct other educational activities for the educators to do while awaiting their flight. Educators do not need to be sitting/waiting without something planned to enhance this learning experience.

• WMIRS Instructions Please have the wing operations team enter a training mission request in WMIRS.  The mission type is "Teacher Orientation Program" and the mission symbol is A19. NHQ/AE or the NOC will then coordinate funding source and edit mission in WMIRS for Wing Approval. Ensure AEM(s) will not expire by the time of the flight.

• TOP Flight Info Flier for Educators  Use to promote TOP flights.

• Check out this news report on how this program inspires teachers.

• TOP Flight Evaluation  (NEW electronic version!)   Ask teachers to complete survey after their flight while they are with you, if possible.  They can use the link HERE or the QR code below. 

  • Also, ask them to send any videos or photos to ae@caapnhq.gov so we can share their experience on social media.                         

                                        QR Code for quick online evaluation submission below:

                                                                 

• TOP Flight Certificate  Please print, sign, and present to teachers after flight and after evaluation.  (Might want to take photos of the certificate presentation.) 

***Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for Educators:

• How do I schedule a TOP Flight?
  Send an e-mail to your state's (Wing's) Director of Aerospace Education (DAE) to request a flight.  Contact info for DAEs is found HERE.  If you do not hear from your DAE within a week, contact ae@capnhq.gov (the Aerospace Education Division at CAP's National HQ in Montgomery, AL).

• How far in advance should a flight be scheduled?
  It is suggested that you send your request to your Wing DAE at least one month in advance of desired flight date.  

• After emailing the DAE, approximately how long does it take for my pilot to contact me?
  Your DAE will copy you on the email sent to your state's CAP operations team (who provide the planes/pilots).  A pilot will then contact you to coordinate a date/time for your flight.  Please remember that all CAP members are volunteers, so give your DAE and/or pilot 5-7 days to reply to you. If you do not hear anything within that time, please send another e-mail to ae@capnhq.gov for assistance.

• Where will I meet the pilot on the day of the flight?
  Your assigned pilot will communicate with you on the location of your flight and any other pertinent information you will need. Please exchange cell #s with your pilot so either of you can contact the other with any further information.  But, your pilot will try to coordinate your flight at the closest airport to you.

• What clothes should I wear?
  You should dress informally and comfortably. We suggest you wear comfortable pants and closed-toed shoes. Depending on the weather, the weight of clothing you wear should be considered. The aircraft does have heat for cooler days, but you should still bring a light jacket or coat, depending on weather temperature. There is no air conditioning for warm/hot days, but, rather, vents to let air in, so dress appropriately for the heat.

• Is there anything specific I should bring for my flight?
  1- Bring your CAP ID card if you have it and driver's license. 2- Bring a camera and/or phone to take photos and/or videos. 3- Bring a small notebook (6 x 9 or 5 x 8) to take notes, or, video the pilot's briefing to you to share with your students.  4- Bring a non-breakable bottle of water.  5- Bring some chewing gum and/or some peppermint candies, both being good to have on hand for your small airplane flight.  

• In what type of aircraft will I be flying?
  CAP aircraft are, typically, Cessna airplanes (172s, 182s, and 206s).  These are all General Aviation aircraft, with propeller engines and high wings for easy ground views.

• What are the qualifications for CAP pilots?
  CAP pilots are FAA qualified private, commercial, or Air Transport Pilots (ATP) and generally have several hundred hours of flight experience or more. They are required to meet FAA currency requirements and to pass a CAP flight evaluation every 12 months.

• How long does the flight last?
  For two educators riding in the same plane (which we encourage), plan to be at the airport for two hours. The pilot tries to give both passengers time in the front seat with the controls, resulting in two separate take-offs and two landings. Each of these times in the front seat should last about 30 minutes.  NOTE: additional time is needed for pre-flight briefing; safety briefing; in plane checklist prior to starting engine; communication with Air Traffic Control to begin taxi to runway; taxi to runway; and approval to finally take off.  After the flight, it takes time to get back to the starting point and closing down the plane.  So, a one-hour flight really involves about 2 hours for the entire experience when two teachers are flying. 

• What can I expect during this flight experience?
  The pilot will have you join him/her on a pre-flight check of the airplane, and will give you a pre-flight briefing to include all safety information.  You will wear a headset and will be able to communicate with the pilot and hear your pilot communicating with the Air Traffic Control Tower.  Hopefully, before your flight day you will express an interest in flying over your school or other landmark.  If so, the pilot will have already plotted the path for your flight and will tell you where all you will fly for the day.

He/she will explain educational features of the airplane and of the geography below so that you can share this with your students.  Your pilot will probably ask if you wish to take the controls and fly the plane! 

After the flight, your pilot may ask you to assist with in plane tie-down and/or refueling the plane.  Do not be in a rush to depart so that you can take advantage of all learning opportunities that may be available to you.  Be assured, you will not be sorry you stayed to experience all you can experience to share with your students.

• How can I take this experience back to my classroom?
  Take aerial photos and/or videos and share them with the students. Discuss what it feels like to fly. Explain all information shared by the pilot about the controls, the  planning of the flight, the math used to fuel the plane, the geography of the ground below, and the science that you learned behind the "magic" of flying. Consider inviting your pilot to come speak to your class.  (You may also want your students to help you prepare a good video or project of thanks to share with your pilot and others!)  It is important that you ask questions so you can get as much information about how each aspect of STEM is connected in aviation. 

• What neat ideas have been used during the flights?
  1- The principal has joined CAP as an AEM and has flown a TOP flight with another school educator during the school day.  The airplane flies over the school while all of the students are outside standing on the field forming the initials of the school with 'human bodies.' The aerial photo of the school also includes all the students below!  Cool!    2- When flying overhead, the principal, superintendent, or teacher who is flying uses a radio to speak to the students outside below.  The radio receiver can be placed near a microphone so the students hear the "message from above." (Using a cell phone from the plane calling to someone on the ground can also be used.  The person on the ground can put the cell phone near a speaker so all the students can hear what is being shared from above.)   3- The educator flying live streams the flight to the students back in the classroom with Q and A conducted during the event.  4- The students help the educator plot the flight plan prior to the flight and the educator shares videos of the geography from above in comparison with the map. 5- If YOU do something unique, please share it with us so we can share it with others!

• Whom do I contact if I must cancel my flight?
  Make sure you exchange cell #s with the pilot when scheduling your flight, and contact him/her immediately if you need to cancel your flight. You may also discuss with him/her a time to reschedule your orientation flight.

• What happens if the weather is not conducive for flying?
  Your pilot will determine whether or not the flight should be cancelled due to inclement weather. He or she will work with you to reschedule your orientation flight.  CAP always places safety first in any situation, but, most assuredly, for flights.  You may be disappointed to have to cancel a flight, but feel confident that when you do get a rescheduled flight, you will be flying with a safe and cautious pilot - in good weather!

                      MOST OF ALL; HAVE FUN!