CAP Today

CAP today flies the world’s largest fleet of modern Cessna aircraft, whose high-wing design makes them desirable for search operations. Still included in the 530-plane fleet owned by the CAP corporation are specialized aircraft such as nine former Air Force U-6 (L-20) De Havilland Beaver bush planes restored and flown by the Alaska Wing, CAP.

New to the CAP fleet in 2004 were large Gippsland single-engine aircraft built in Australia, purchased for high-occupancy flights and to accommodate new hi-tech sensors and equipment for air search and homeland defense.

9/11 and New Technology

CAP has adapted new technology to supplement the “Mark 1” eyeball in air search.

Slow-scan video and digital images can be datalinked to the ground for review by local officials of natural disasters, traffic tie-ups during special events, or (on 9/11) attack damage. Known to few outside aviation, a CAP mission was the first non-military airplane to over-fly the World Trade Center site after the attack.

Selected for its low-altitude capabilities and ability to coordinate with armed Air Force fighters overhead, CAP’s photo mission helped New York state decision-makers realize the threat posed by unseen debris on building roofs nearby. Additional buildings collapsed later in the day.

Even newer hyper-spectral imaging equipment, now coming on-line, can surpass the human eye in air searches for persons, property or threats under a wide range of conditions.

New technology has even reached the cadet program. CAP’s new Satellite Tool Kit is a computer-based teaching tool for visualizing the track of various satellites in space.

Similar computer-based systems are now helping to automate search patterns for CAP aircraft and crews.

CAPs Value to Our Nation

CAP mobilizes some 60,000 senior (adult) and cadet members for its three primary missions: Emergency Services, Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education.

CAP aircraft fly search missions for an average $70 per hour (one-tenth of the $700 per hour for a larger Air Force plane typically used.)

CAP aircraft and personnel are mobilized for natural disasters, civil defense, and to aid local government emergency services when requested. CAP also flies in support of federal agencies, including their efforts in the war on drugs.

Today, the CAP Cadet program involves some 25,000 young people in a structured program of aviation education, leadership development and good citizenship. Former CAP cadets constitute 10% of each Air Force Academy class.

 

I.    The Gathering Threat II.   The CAP Subchasers of WWII III.   Many Other WWII Missions IV.  Post-War: Now What? V.  The Cold War Years VI.  Search & Rescue VII. CAP Today

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