Public OutReach America's Military and You - Civil Air Patrol logs safest year in history

The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian organization but, as the civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, it is organized along military lines.

Civil Air Patrol Logs Safest Year In History

Maxwell AFB, Alabama,
March 1, 2001 —The Civil Air Patrol has posted its safest year ever. For 2000, the rate, based on accidents per 100,000 flying hours, was .94. This tops the 1992 record of 1.54.

"The best news, however, is no lives were lost," said CAP National Commander Brig. Gen. James C. Bobick.

In CAP's Flight Safety Program, all pilots are kept abreast of flight hazards and are encouraged to use risk management techniques to ensure safe flight operations. Across the nation, Civil Air Patrol hosts special flight clinics that emphasize safe operations. In addition, the safety staff assesses challenging flying missions and identifies opportunities to reduce risks during mountain searches and over-water missions.

CAP commanders submit current airworthiness directives compliance checklists, weight and balance sheets, and a photocopy of the logbook entry for 50-hour oil changes, 100-hour inspections and annual inspections. They also provide altimeter certification, pitot/static system certification, transponder certification, and verification of emergency locator transmitter battery check.

"These actions demonstrate how seriously we consider safe operations while conducting volunteer services," says Bobick. "The nature of our missions demand no less."

CAP volunteers are often called upon to conduct airborne operations in more difficult conditions than other pilots typically face. To ensure pilots are prepared to meet these challenges, CAP has instituted other measures to enhance pilot safety. These include a mountain flying course and a video that demonstrates mountain and sea survival topics. This video will be used in CAP's distant learning programs. New survival equipment, such as life rafts, personal flotation aids, radios and electronic signaling devices will complement this survival training.

The CAP is a nonprofit organization with a fleet of 530 aircraft. It is the official Air Force auxiliary and performs more than 85 percent of inland search and rescue missions tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center in the continental United States.