VFR Pilot

To become a VFR pilot within Civil Air Patrol, you must complete a series of flying and non-flying tasks. These requirements ensure that, in addition to your flight proficiency, you are fully integrated into CAP’s operations and familiar with its role as the Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Upon completing the VFR pilot requirements, you will be qualified to fly CAP aircraft and pursue additional certifications and mission roles, such as Orientation Pilot or Transport Mission Pilot.

VFR Pilot Requirements

Initial Requirements:

• Active CAP Senior Member or Cadet: You must be a current, active CAP member and at least 17 years of age to be a CAP VFR Pilot.

• FAA Pilot Certificate: Possess a valid FAA Private, Commercial, or Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

• Medical Certification: Possess a valid Class 3, or higher medical certificate, or a BasicMed certificate.

• Flight Review: Have a current flight review in accordance with 14 CFR 61.56.

Checklist (After Joining CAP):

• Create your eServices account and gain access to your CAP email (if applicable).

• Complete Level 1 of your Professional Development Program. Any questions regarding Professional Development should be directed to your unit’s Education and Training Officer.

• Complete Cadet Protection Program Training (CPPT). This training is part of Level 1 Professional Development and focuses on safeguarding CAP’s youth cadets. This is required for all CAP Pilots.

• Request a CAP Pilot Mentor. A Pilot Mentor is knowledgeable in both the National-level requirements for pilot onboarding as well as Wing and Region-specific requirements and can help you navigate this process efficiently.

• After you have been assigned your CAP Pilot Mentor, complete your Pilot Experience Survey and CAP Training Plan. You can complete the Pilot Experience Survey and Training Plan by downloading and filling out the forms provided under the Related Documents section to the right of this page.

• Complete the Aircrew Professionalism course on the CAP eLearning Platform. This course explains the foundational elements of CAP's Aircrew Professionalism Model, which are embodied in CAP's Aviators Code of Conduct and Aircrew Code of Conduct, both found within the Pamphlets section of CAP Publication Library.

• Enroll in the CAP Pilot Onboarding Curriculum on the CAP eLearning Platform. This curriculum includes several presentations on CAPs publications, technology, the CAP Pilot Flight Evaluation process, CAP-specific flight endorsement training, and aircraft-specific training that covers airframes and avionics differences.

• Upload your pilot documents into Ops Quals. At a minimum, you will need to upload your FAA Pilot Certificate, your medical certificate or BasicMed documentation, and your flight review. However, you may also want to upload any endorsements, like your High Performance, Complex or Tow Pilot endorsements, as well as your TSA Training for CFIs. All documents should be uploaded as a PDF. Documents with multiple pages should be uploaded as single files and not multiple files, as there is a limit in upload counts within Ops Quals.

• Complete the Statement of Understanding in Ops Quals. Log into eServices, and under the Ops Quals page, under “Pilots” navigate to “Prerequisites” in the left-hand menu.

• Complete the Aircraft Ground Handling course on CAPs eLearning Platform. This course provides training on proper procedures for safely handling CAP aircraft on the ground.

• Coordinate and complete your onboarding ground and flight training. Work with your pilot mentor to find an airplane and CAP Instructor Pilot. This training is part of an approved, funded training mission and is your first step toward becoming a qualified CAP VFR pilot. Specific tasks and content for ground and flight training for VFR Pilot Onboarding can be found in CAPS 71-1, Aircrew Training, Airplane, which can be accessed on CAP Publication Library.

• Schedule Your CAP Pilot Flight Evaluation (Form 5). Once you have completed the necessary training and feel prepared, schedule your Form 5 with a CAP Check Pilot to demonstrate your flying proficiency. Visit the Finding a Mentor, Instructor, Check Pilot or Airplane page to assist you in locating a CAP Check Pilot. Your mentor should also be able to assist you with this.

Other Recommended Items

The following items are not required as part of the onboarding for becoming a CAP VFR Pilot, but are recommended for all members who intend on seeking additional training or qualifications within CAP.

1. Upload your member photo for validation in eServices

2. Submit the requirements for your CAP Driver License

3. Complete the AMRAD Pilot course on the CAP eLearning Platform

4. Complete CAPT 116, General Emergency Services (GES) on the CAP eLearning Platform. Additional information about GES can be found here

5. Complete CAPT 117, ES Continuing Education Part 1, 2 and 3 courses on the CAP eLearning Platform

6. Complete the self-guided portion of the Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT) on the CAP eLearning Platform. Additional information about ICUT can be found here

7. Complete IS100, IS200, IS700 and IS800 FEMA courses. Additional information about FEMA courses can be found here

8. Join the FAA Wings Safety Program and link your CAP Ops Quals account to your Wings account. This is done through the FAA Wings webpage under “Account Preferences”