As of July 1, 2024, the Bahamas Customs & Excise Department has imposed substantial and egregious fees on pilots flying General Aviation aircraft on recreational flights. Pilots should be mindful of these new and additional fees before considering flying to the Bahamas. Read More
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CAP taps federal funds for training

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) announced a funding initiative with the U.S. Air Force to encourage youth to enter military, commercial, or additional aviation careers in the face of a pilot shortage that is expected to affect the future of air travel.

The Civil Air Patrol announced a funding initiative with the U.S. Air Force to encourage youth to enter aviation careers. Photo courtesy of the Civil Air Patrol.

The Youth Aviation Initiative includes $1 million for cadet flight instruction; $500,000 for science, technology, engineering, and math support; $500,000 for career exploration activities; and $400,000 for cadet orientation flights.

“Cadets are vetted, and are out there and doing the work,” said Wendy Hamilton, the group’s manager of cadet career exploration programs. She was hopeful that the initiatives would enhance the CAP’s contribution to the aviation industry.

John Desmarais, director of operations at CAP National Headquarters, said the group was working “on many fronts” to encourage youth to pursue aviation pathways. He added that the CAP was “expanding existing programs as well as fielding new ones to address the challenges” of fielding more aviation and aerospace professionals.

The group’s summer and winter encampments are popular programs that teach youth how to fly powered and nonpowered aircraft. Additional special activities include leadership training and other year-round skill-building programs.

The all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary consists of 61,000 members, operates 560 aircraft, and saves an average of 82 lives annually by participating in search-and-rescue missions, including missions during hurricanes Florence and Michael, which devastated the Southeast.

David Tulis
David Tulis
Senior Photographer
Senior Photographer David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings and a tailwheel endorsement. He is also a certificated remote pilot and co-host of the award-wining AOPA Hangar Talk podcast. David enjoys vintage aircraft and photography.
Topics: Training and Safety, You Can Fly

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