Aerospace

Opportunities:
Cadet Wings
 Table of Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.

Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.

Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.

Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.

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 Overview
Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a volunteer organization

focused on Emergency Services and Aerospace Education,
with the Cadet Program as its third and
most recent mission. It is the United
States Air Force (USAF) Auxiliary. The
program allows cadets to build
connections, develop their character,
help their community, and more.

Cadet Wings

Cadet Wings is a merit-based program

that all CAP cadets are eligible for.
Funded by the USAF and other partners, the program allows
cadets to expand beyond Orientation Flights (O-Flights).
O-Flights are led by a CAP Instructor in a Cessna aircraft,
usually a Cessna-172. During O-Flights, attending cadets can
take control of the aircraft while in the sky. The instructor
performs landings and take-offs for safety reasons.

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 Pathways
Entry Options

A cadet can request to begin taking lessons with a

CAP-certified instructor, go to a private or public flight
school, attend the National Flight Academy (NFA), or apply
directly to be part of the Cadet Wings program. Most of these
options are self-funded except for applying directly to the
Cadet Wings program.

National Flight Academy

Upon graduating from their Basic Encampment, a cadet can

apply for the National Flight Academy. If they are selected,
they will pay to attend and participate in NFA. More
information on NFA and how to apply can be found here:
NFA-Southeast Region Powered Flight Academy

CAP Aircraft/Instructor
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At any point in their CAP career, cadets can request to take
formal lessons from a certified instructor in CAP aircraft. This

option is cheaper than attending a flight academy but will be

subject to local availability. This can be requested before or
after their first solo flight. This option will usually be
self-funded. Note that if the cadet is already in the Cadet
Wings program this option will be funded.

Flight School

Similarly to getting lessons from a CAP instructor, a cadet can

go to a flight school at any point in their career. While much
more expensive, this option is not dependent on local
availability. This option will usually be self-funded. Note that
if the cadet is already in the Cadet Wings program this option
will be funded.

Cadet Wings

Any cadet can apply to the Cadet Wings program, however, it

is highly competitive and there are very few spots available. If

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the cadet applies and is accepted without having done any of
the previous options, they will be placed into an In-Residence
University Program. Airfare and housing will be funded.
Upon completion of the University Program, the cadet will
have the opportunity to go on their first solo flight and take

the FAA knowledge test. However, if the cadet did do the

NFA, a Flight School, or take lessons from a CAP Instructor,
upon completion of their first solo flight, they can take the
FAA knowledge test and then apply to the Cadet Wings
program or continue on the path they were on (Flight School
and CAP Instructors are only available at this point). When in
the Cadet Wings program, the cadet can do one of 3 things:
attend a Flight School (funded), take lessons from a CAP
Instructor (funded), or attend an In-Residency Advanced
Flight Training Academy (also funded).

The Next Step

Upon completion of any of these four pathways, the cadet can

take the FAA Knowledge Test (if they haven’t already) and
become a private pilot. At this point, cadets will be proficient
in the operation of CAP Aircraft.

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Diagram taken from Cadet Wings | Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

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 Application
How do I apply?
Once you are a CAP member, you can apply for Cadet Wings
through eServices > CadetInvest. Application is only open
from July 1 - September 30 at noon (CST).

What are the qualifications?

An ideal applicant should be prepared to upload the following
documents (if applying before taking one of the first 3
pathways):

● Aircraft Ground Handling (within the past 2 years)

● Student Pilot Certificate
● FAA Medical Certificate Class III (Not needed for glider)
● Solo Endorsement -- Does not need to be the same type
of aircraft.
● Passing FAA Knowledge Test (written)
● Activities List
● The last two pages with Log Book flights, including the
page with your initial solo

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 ● Flight Plan (A statement describing how you’re going to
use your program funds, including your flight training
plan)
● Wings commitment statement
● Support document (Only if you don’t have any of the
above)

Can I apply if I don’t meet the qualifications?

You can apply for Cadet Wings without all the qualifications.
However, applicants that meet the pre-requisites will be
considered first by the Youth Initiative Panel and there are
highly limited slots available. If you are unable to provide any
documentation for any reason, your support document
should contain explanations for each missing item.

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 Links
Media
Cover: https://www.heartlandsquadron.com/news/
Pg. 3 Portrait:
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/cadeti
nvest/cadet-wings
Pg. 7 Diagram:
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/cadeti
nvest/cadet-wings

Sources
Cadet Wings, Civil Air Patrol
https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/cadeti
nvest/cadet-wings
National Flight Academy, Civil Air Patrol
NFA-Southeast Region Powered Flight Academy

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 Thank you for reading!

Written by Cadet Randy Sherman, 703601 to make it

easier for people to find the information they need
regarding the Cadet Wings program. Provides more
information about registration and pathways than the
official site.

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