Glider Program

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Civil Air Patrol Glider Program is to give as many cadets as possible the opportunity to experience gliding and soaring through orientation flights and glider flight training. At the same time, we also want to make the gliders available to our senior members when the cadets are not using the gliders and provide them the opportunity for upgrade and initial flight training, as well.

Goals

To reach as many CAP Cadets as possible with the opportunity to participate in the glider program, both orientation flights and flight training, maintain a strong and effective ground and air safety program, promote current, proficient and professional airmanship, and maintain a high level of custodial care and maintenance.

Glider Program History

Since the 1960s, CAP has had a glider program in place. The early program was mainly focused in the western part of the United States.

In the fall of 1995, the Soaring Society of America (SSA) expressed an interest in partnering with CAP in the promotion of soaring in the United States. SSA had various assets, gliders and personnel, located in their SAA affiliate clubs across the nation while CAP had 25,000 aviation minded young people. SSA realized their membership was aging and the ability to introduce soaring to youth was vital to SSA's future. Initial meetings with SSA leaders and HQ CAP officials determined a relationship would be beneficial to both organizations and a Memorandum of Agreement was signed in February 1996.

In May of 1997, the NEC, HQ CAP/DO and HQ CAP-USAF/LGM purchased a Blanik L- 23, a two-place training glider, with corporate funds for the purpose of conducting a test to assure a glider flight activity could be integrated into a normal CAP wing. The Georgia wing was selected due to its close proximity to CAP/HQ and strong SSA support. The test was successful and was briefed to the CAP National Executive Committee in November of 1998.

At that time the CAP glider program, with assistance from existing members and new CAP members from SSA affiliate clubs, experienced explosive growth fulfilling SSA's desire to plant the seed of soaring and CAP's mandated requirement to introduce its cadets to aviation. Over the next few years, with additional purchases and acquisitions of gliders from the United States Air Force Academy, the fleet grew to nearly 60 and glider flight academies became more and more popular.

Over the years, as CAP experienced personnel changes and adverse funding issues, the program waned and utilization decreased. In 2010, the National Executive Committee made the decision to re-energize the program by concentrating gliders in Region Centers of Excellence. The fleet was reduced to 42 gliders and they were concentrated into areas of highest potential, in an effort to maximize both utilization and opportunity for increased cadet participation in both orientation flights and flight training.

The program was a success; significantly increasing the number of flights in FY 11 and reaching an all time record of over 10,000 flights in FY 12.

In early 2013, Civil Air Patrol received 10 Blanik L-23s from the Air Force Academy, giving the program the ability to retire and replace some of the older, high time Schweizers. Currently, all eight regions and 27 wings participate in the program with 46 active gliders. If the momentum continues and funding issues become more favorable, there is a possibility that we can grow even further through a cost-effective, refurbishing program for our older SGS 2-33s. It is, however, predicated on utilization, safety and professionalism.

The SSA has been a long time partner and supporter of the CAP glider program. In late 2012, SSA initiated the CAP Cadet Introductory Membership that not only provides the cadets with a free SSA youth membership, but also a certificate commemorating their first glider flight and an electronic news letter. In 2013, an updated five year Memorandum of Agreement was signed with an automatic renewal. In those areas not served conveniently by a corporate glider, the SSA clubs are excellent venues to allow cadets the opportunity to take their orientation flights.