Civil Air Patrol Capt. Thomas O’Connor speaks with 2nd Lt. Sedacy Walden (center rear) as Capt. Kayla Pipe pilots their CAP Cessna. Launched in 2019 as an experimental initiative, the Rated Preparatory Program, or RPP, provides accelerated instruction that identifies future pilots, navigators and other crew members to help address the Air Force’s potential pilot shortage.
Capt. Kayla Pipe practices on a Civil Air Patrol flight simulator. CAP is one of the four partners in the Air Force Total Force. Consisting of CAP as the Air Force auxiliary as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty Air Force, each partner has specific missions that often foster collaboration.
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. — Civil Air Patrol is one of the four partners in the U.S. Air Force Total Force. Consisting of CAP as the Air Force auxiliary as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active-duty Air Force, each partner has specific missions that often foster collaboration.
For CAP, the collaboration often consists of participation in training exercises as intercept targets straying into restricted airspace, performing search and rescue missions assigned by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and in this case providing essential preparatory training to active-duty officers who aspire to achieve their goal of earning their Air Force wings.
“CAP is providing a crucial service for the Air Force and our nation,” said Brig. Gen. William Betts, First Air Force and Air Force Northern Command vice commander. “Some great Airmen got their start in CAP, and we are committed to maintaining that tradition.”
Capt. Alex Johnson and 1st Lt. Kristen Kummen share that aviation dream. Kummen could have spoken for both in just a few words.
I really want to be a pilot,” she said.
Thanks to the partnership between the Air Force and CAP, Airmen have the opportunity to soar to their airborne dreams.
Launched in 2019 as an experimental initiative, the Rated Preparatory Program, or RPP, provides accelerated instruction that identifies future pilots, navigators and other crew members to help address the Air Force’s potential pilot shortage.
The program’s intent is to provide current officers with flying hours and experience to increase their Pilot Candidate Selection Model score and be more likely to qualify for Undergraduate Flight Training boards.
