CAPblog

ARCHER Circling the Drain?

I've had my concerns...

Word on the street is that 1st Air Force has finally come out and said it...

... they have determined that CAP's ARCHER is not an effective tool in supporting any Air Force missions.

Hey, I'd be much happier if this was incorrect, and that the USAF thought the system was more iPhone, and less Vista.

I would love to post a retraction.

Ultimately, the $10 Million bucks blown on ARCHER is a rounding error in Air Force procurement. Live and learn. It was still cheaper than plowing as single RQ-1 into the dessert.

I would rather have strapped FLIR units to our existing fleet of mighty C-182 Skylanes.

But that's just me.

Finders Keepers

Busted Tees: Finders Keepers

:: I so want one of these.

Mmmm... Doughnuts...

The Dough-Nu-Matic automatically forms, fries and drains delectable mini-doughnuts in just 50 seconds! Makes a dozen doughnuts in under six minutes.

SkyMall: Dough-nu-matic

:: It's one of the most enduring visuals in CAP....

Senior Members = Doughnuts.

Slap a CAP sticker on this bad boy, and fire it up at your next Mission Base.

Little Six will be Sierra Hotel this Halloween

Jr Armed Forces Pilot Suit w/ Helmet Infant Costume includes: Armed Forces custom patches, official Air Force one piece design loaded with lots of zipper pockets, and embroidered cap.

Amazon.com: Jr Armed Forces Pilot Suit 18 Month Old Toddler Halloween Costume

:: No... this does n0t mean that I'm breaking my own thou shalt not wear CAP uniform item as part of a Halloween costume rule...

This is what "Little Six" will be sporting on All Hallow's Eve this year. (She just turned 2.)

I haven't decided what I'm going to dress up as... yet.

100th CAP Skylane Reporting for Duty

Cessna announced Thursday at AOPA Expo 2007 the planemaker's Independence, KS facility recently delivered the 100th C182 Skylane to Wichita-based Yingling Aviation for modification for duty with the Civil Air Patrol.

Yingling will outfit the G1000-equipped Skylane with special avionics equipment for CAP duty. The independent Cessna authorized service station holds the STC for CAP-specific mods.

The aircraft was delivered at the end of September. Yingling will complete the modifications that provide search-and-rescue equipment and dual audio panels with the ability to have multiple, simultaneous communications between the pilot, mission specialist, observer and agencies on the ground. These modifications allow CAP to take an increased role in support of national security and disaster relief operations.

The Skylane is scheduled for delivery to CAP in November, according to Cessna.

ANN: Cessna Delivers 100th Skylane To Yingling Aviation For CAP Duty

:: Right about now, 20% of CAP's fleet is less than 5 years old, which, when compared to the regular Air Force, is just terrific.

I for one pictured the CAP Skylanes rolling off the production line with all the modifications installed in the factory... not matter... the NAV III 182 is the most capable CAP airframe ever to come into service.

Standardization of our fleet has gone a long way to help us shift to more of an expeditionary force model. Crews can train in Michigan, and link up with airframes based in Arizona without much hassle.

You know that I'm a huge fan of the G1K integrated flight deck, despite issues with SDIS, and my own frustrations with pushing through FITS.

I also wish that Garmin would get the G1000 SAR patch done. I'm hoping that when we do see mission specific software updated in our birds, that it will include integration with the direction finder. That gorgeous MFD is just screaming to display information from the Becker!

Keep up the good work folks!

1*

Hang around special operator types long enough...  and you're bound to eventually come across this symbol. It's a bit of an inside joke amongst the Law Enforcement folks, especially within the special operations community.

It stands for, "One Ass To Risk."

You see...

1 = You

* = Ass to Risk

Get it?

It started with the SWAT guys, and like any good idea (i.e. challenge coins) the concept has crossed over to other services... so there are many versions of the logo...

• Blue = Police
• Red = Firefighters
• Green = Military

It reminds one to be more careful.

We've all been reminded recently that what we do can be a tough, dangerous business, that puts us in harm's way.

I'd venture to say adopting "1*" would be a more effective tool for your local neighborhood Safety Officer than the silly pledge.

I for one, want a green version of the patch for my flight bag.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Breitling EMERGENCY Watch

The Breitling EMERGENCY is unique in the world of horology; it is the first pilot's watch to be equipped with a 121.5 MHz locator homing beacon for communicating with search and rescue (SAR) services. Although another watch, the McMurdo Guardian is now available and also has an integrated 121.5 MHz locator beacon, it is meant for seamen; it activates upon contact with salt water and its beacon is not as powerful as the Breitling.

The EMERGENCY is specifically designed as an important further item of safety equipment for pilots who already use 121.5 MHz for emergency radio (voice) transmissions and for their on-board Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) that are triggered by excessive G-force during a forced landing or crash. Breitling has also supplied a number of EMERGENCY watches to some military pilots that transmit on 243.0 MHz. The company has long been known for designing watches with functions useful to aviators and the EMERGENCY is no exception.

watchuseek Forum: Some Observations About Emergency Signaling, Emergency Beacons and Breitling’s EMERGENCY Wristwatch (via this CAPTALK thread)

: : This is the most in depth article I've seen written about this watch. It pretty much covers everything that you might want to know.

Now if Fossett does show up at someone's door asking to use the phone... I bet that Brietling gives Sir Richard his money back.

I've developed a bit of a watch fetish of late... and the Breitling EMERGENCY is still my ultimate dream watch. (I've written about it again, and again, and again.)

I'll take mine with a titanium case, orange dial, professional II bracelet, with the co-pilot module please.

Branson Confirms Fossett Wearing ELT Watch

"If he's landed and he's not too badly hurt, he's the one person in the world who will be mentally and physically equipped to get out of it," Branson said. 

Rescuers were scheduled to begin looking again Wednesday for Fossett, the Civil Air Patrol said. 

Though there were no signs of Fossett on Tuesday evening, searchers and friends remained optimistic that the eclectic adventurer was safe.

Branson struck a more cautious tone Wednesday, saying he was "obviously worried" that Fossett may be injured because he was wearing a watch capable of emitting an emergency distress signal. If Fossett were OK, Branson surmised, he would've been able to activate the manually operated signal. 

However, he added, "If anyone's going to end up walking back up [to] the ranch and apologizing for pranging the Hiltons' plane, it's likely to be Steve Fossett."

CNN:  Branson fears missing Fossett is injured

:: If Sir Richard is correct, Fossett could send an electronic signal, even if the ELT onboard his aircraft was destroyed...

The downside is that he would have to activate the transmitter in his watch manually, which may be impossible if he's injured.

Note  the Brietling's transmitter is not rated to be picked up by SARSAT. According to Breitling's web site, rescuers would have to in the vicinity, and in line of site, to pick up the low powered signal.

Here's a picture of Steve wearing his yellow Breitling Emergency. I've written about this watch before. It was a gift from Branson.

I hope Steve's OK.

Be safe, good hunting.

"There can be only one."

A Civil Air Patrol Sword...

...recently displayed at the National Conference by Vanguard :

... mocked discussed on CAPtalk...

:: Ummm... I'm speechless.

An Ode to 550 Cord

Parachute cord (also paracord or 550 cord) is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Once in the field, paratroopers found this cord useful for many other tasks. It is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians. This versatile cord was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the second Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

Wikipedia: Parachute Cord

:: Inspired by this blog, I want to point out how cool a tool 550 cord is.

This stuff is both ubiquitous and essential to Ground Teams. It's a required item in every Ground Team Member's 24 Hour Gear.

I've used this stuff for everything, and may be second only to duct tape in usefulness.