List of National Cadet Special Activities
Encyclopedia
This is a list of National Cadet Special Activities conducted by Civil Air Patrol
as a part of its congressional missions (Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs). Below is a partial list of activities offered nationally during 2008:
, CAP has access to USAF facilities and personnel. The Air Force sponsors several schools, each of which focuses on a different area of Air Force culture.
. Cadets learn about missile operations, space command and control, and orbital mechanics.
Familiarization Course.
, this activity shows aircraft construction and maintenance techniques. Students receive tours of the Cessna Aircraft factory.
AirVenture
in Oshkosh
, Wisconsin
, the world's largest airshow. This is a 'working vacation' and duties include aircraft marshaling, crowd control and ELT deactivation.
models) and glider flight (operating CAP LET L-13 Blaník models) are separate, so students may choose to apply to and attend either or both.
Cadets are paired with instructors and take daily flight lessons based on lessons learned in daily ground school sessions, as well as nightly homework readings. In addition, students are required to be prepared for any emergency that may threaten the aircraft or crew.
The purpose of NFA is to guarantee 10 hours of quality flight instruction to the students. However, due to the high intensity training, most students, pending their instructors permission, will be given the opportunity to solo, or pre-solo in the case of gliders, the aircraft. Depending on the academy, anywhere from 50-80% of student will graduate with their solo rating.
EAA
In addition to orientation flight time, Cadets study the flight, weather, navigation and aircraft construction.
, conducted at the United States Space & Rocket Center
, this course focuses on space exploration, and features flight simulation, physiology, crew equipment and more.
. This activity is not exclusive to CAP members.
at Maxwell AFB and teaches critical thinking, active decision making, operational and strategic leadership, and air power theories, as well as relating the principles learned at the school into real life situations.
, this course explores the functions of American government and political processes.
, is the oldest continually operated school of search and rescue in the United States. This activity teaches basic and advanced SAR techniques, such as survival, rope work, first aid and leadership.
, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other cadet aerospace organizations.
, this provides a chance to work with members of the Air Force Weather Agency
and see how weather is forecast and interpreted using state of the art equipment.
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
as a part of its congressional missions (Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs). Below is a partial list of activities offered nationally during 2008:
Air Force Careers
As the official auxiliary of the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, CAP has access to USAF facilities and personnel. The Air Force sponsors several schools, each of which focuses on a different area of Air Force culture.
Air Force Pararescue Orientation Course
In this physically demanding activity, Cadets work with actual Pararescuemen learning land navigation, wilderness survival, climbing and rappelling and other Pararescue-related skills. This course is often abbreviated PJOC.Air Force Space Command Familiarization Courses
Designed for Cadets with an interest in space-related careers, this course provides an in-depth look at the capabilities and responsibilities of Air Force Space CommandAir Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
. Cadets learn about missile operations, space command and control, and orbital mechanics.
Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Courses
A glimpse of the training that makes an Air Force pilot, this school includes heavy academics, flight facilities tours and simulator time. This course was previously known as the Air Education and Training CommandAir Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
Familiarization Course.
Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Orientation Course
Co-sponsored by CessnaCessna
The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
, this activity shows aircraft construction and maintenance techniques. Students receive tours of the Cessna Aircraft factory.
Airline Careers Exploration
A hands on activity where cadets learn about careers within the airline industry. Students work with pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and flight attendants to better understand how Airlines operate.National Blue Beret Activity
Participants help conduct EAAExperimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
AirVenture
Oshkosh Airshow
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is America's largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts held each summer at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States....
in Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, the world's largest airshow. This is a 'working vacation' and duties include aircraft marshaling, crowd control and ELT deactivation.
National Flight Academy (Powered & Glider)
Cadets who are at least 14 years old for glider and 16 for powered are eligible for the week-long National Flight Academy (NFA). Here, cadets go through high intensity instructive training both on the ground and in the air. Academies for powered flight (operating CAP Cessna 172Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
models) and glider flight (operating CAP LET L-13 Blaník models) are separate, so students may choose to apply to and attend either or both.
Cadets are paired with instructors and take daily flight lessons based on lessons learned in daily ground school sessions, as well as nightly homework readings. In addition, students are required to be prepared for any emergency that may threaten the aircraft or crew.
The purpose of NFA is to guarantee 10 hours of quality flight instruction to the students. However, due to the high intensity training, most students, pending their instructors permission, will be given the opportunity to solo, or pre-solo in the case of gliders, the aircraft. Depending on the academy, anywhere from 50-80% of student will graduate with their solo rating.
EAAExperimental Aircraft AssociationThe Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
Air Academy
In addition to orientation flight time, Cadets study the flight, weather, navigation and aircraft construction.Space Camp
Cadets participate in United States Space CampUnited States Space Camp
U.S. Space Camp is owned and operated by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission d.b.a. U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "Space Camp" refers to both the actual camp and a family of related camp programs offered year-round by the facility. The camp provides residential and...
, conducted at the United States Space & Rocket Center
United States Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is a museum showcasing rockets, achievements, and artifacts of the U.S. space program. The facility is also home to United States Space Camp and Aviation Challenge...
, this course focuses on space exploration, and features flight simulation, physiology, crew equipment and more.
Aviation Challenge
CAP sponsors cadets to participate in the Aviation ChallengeAviation Challenge
Aviation Challenge is a camp located in Huntsville, Alabama that is an alternative to Space Camp. Aviation challenge is more closely related to fighter aircraft than it is to space. The camp is a military based one that teaches many basic flying skills with in-depth simulators.- Programs :There are...
. This activity is not exclusive to CAP members.
Cadet Officer School
Based on the Air Force's Squadron Officer's School, Cadet Officer School is CAP's keystone leadership school. Open to cadet officers, it is held at the Air UniversityAir University
The United States Air Force Air University is a component of the United States Air Force's Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Air University is the U.S. Air Force's primary center for professional military education.-Organization:Air Force...
at Maxwell AFB and teaches critical thinking, active decision making, operational and strategic leadership, and air power theories, as well as relating the principles learned at the school into real life situations.
Civic Leadership Academy
Held in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, this course explores the functions of American government and political processes.
Hawk Mountain Ranger School
The Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility at Hawk Mountain, PennsylvaniaHawk Mountain
Hawk Mountain is a mountain ridge, part of the Blue Mountain Ridge in the Appalachian Mountain chain, located in central-eastern Pennsylvania near Reading and Allentown. The area includes 13,000 acres of protected private and public land, including the 2,600 acre Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.The River...
, is the oldest continually operated school of search and rescue in the United States. This activity teaches basic and advanced SAR techniques, such as survival, rope work, first aid and leadership.
Honor Guard Academy
This activity teaches Air Force Honor Guard techniques and provides instruction on creating an Honor Guard at a Cadet's home unit. Cadets are also taught military discipline and protocol of the type required by a Honorguardsman, as well as the four elements of the Honor Guard: the Ceremonial/Demonstration Element, the Colors Element, the Funeral Element and the Drama Element (which involves plays and skits promoting a drug-free lifestyle and depicting the consequences of abusing illegal substances).National Emergency Services Academy (Commonly referred to as NESA)
An in-depth SAR school teaching all aspects of the CAP Emergency Services mission. This school is organized into three branches, the National Ground Search and Rescue School, the Incident Command Systems School, and the Mission Air School. Each branch runs several schools each year within the two weeks NESA is in session.IACE
Perhaps the premier National Cadet Special Activity of the Civil Air PatrolCivil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other cadet aerospace organizations.
Advanced Technologies Academy
Cadets gain hands on experience with new technologies being employed by Civil Air Patrol.Engineering & Technology Academy
Cadets are introduced to several engineering disciplines by completing hands-on projects. Cadets mentor and learn from professors, NASA employees, or Air Force researchers.Air Force Weather Agency Familiarization Course
For Cadets interested in meteorologyMeteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
, this provides a chance to work with members of the Air Force Weather Agency
Air Force Weather Agency
The Air Force Weather Agency is a Field Operating Agency and the lead military meteorology center of the United States Air Force...
and see how weather is forecast and interpreted using state of the art equipment.