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From: falk@uiucuxc.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Civil Air Patrol - (nf)
Message-ID: <6422@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Mar-84 23:06:11 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.6422
Posted: Tue Mar 27 23:06:11 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 29-Mar-84 05:07:52 EST
Lines: 29

#R:ihnp4:-56700:uiucuxc:10800003:000:1529
uiucuxc!falk    Mar 27 14:37:00 1984

 
I was in the Civil Air Patrol for over 10years in the Milwaukee area and
I highly recommend it. It is not for everyone, but for those who have the
interest (aerospace, search and rescue, etc.) and the time, it can be a
highly rewarding experience. For all of its benefits, it is not a "free 
ride"... you do have to put some time and effort in; but if you do the 
rewards can be great.

I got my pilots license for free through CAP via flight scholarships that
they offered. I also used to give tours of KC-97 and KC-135 (refueling planes)
and C-119 and C-130 (flying boxcars) at the Air Nat'l Guard at Mitchell field
for a reward of being given flights in each of the aircrafts. I went on an
actual refueling mission in which I was able to sit near the "boom operator"
and watch him refuel an F-4 going 250mph! In order to work on the search &
rescues teams, there was alot of training that went on (First Aid, Survival,
etc.). I also have gotten rides on several different AF helicopters and other
planes. Leadership and general (on the ground) aerospace training was also
very useful--the leadership training has actually proven useful in "real
life". Not only that, but there were alot of social activities and I just
generally had a lot of fun.

You can't just walk in on a meeting and expect to be offered rides on planes,
but if you are willing to put a little into it, you can get a lot out of it.

                                     -Connie Falk Milosevich
                                    (uiucdcs!uiucuxc!falk)