CAP’s Teacher Orientation Program Flights (TOP Flights) Civil Air Patrol’s Introduction and Continuing Education - For Teachers Related to Flight

Purpose The CAP TOP Flights Program provides the unique opportunity for teachers to experience orientation flights in CAP aircraft. Teachers receive these flights during an AE workshop and then share the knowledge and excitement of the flight with their students.

Why Conduct Teacher Orientation Flights? To connect CAP units with teachers in the community. To provide professional experiences, excitement and knowledge for teachers that can be transferred directly to their students. To foster CAP’s cadet program and aviation career interest in the classrooms of America. To share an appreciation for Civil Air Patrol’s missions for America throughout our country.

How To Get Started- Internally Who is Involved? The Wing Commander and the DAE should meet to discuss the potential for support of TOP Flights. The Wing Commander should designate a TOP Flights POC (usually the DAE). Director of Aerospace Education (DAE)– point of contact for wing, pilots, and participants; organization of AE workshops. Aerospace Education Officers (AEOs)- contact with teachers; local organization of AE workshops. Director of Operations (DO)–coordination of airplanes/pilots.

How To Get Started- Internally Who is Involved? 6. Pilots- airplane orientations/ flights 7. NHQ- determine funding availability and guidance 8. AEMs-CAP Aerospace Education Members or regular members who are classroom teachers – participants and a conduit to students 9. PAOs- pre and post publicity

Coordination with NHQ 1. Prior to entering a TOP Flights mission into WMIRS, the Wing POC should inform NHQ/AE of event intent to ensure funding is available. 2. When approved, enter mission into WMIRS. 3. If funding will come from another source, enter this in comment section of WMIRS.

Finding AEM’s in the Wing and Units. You may not have Duty Assignment Permission to access the AEM reports. That is okay, just ask you DAE to work with you in obtaining the information needed to proceed Wing DAE opens www.capmembers.com Log into eServices Open ‘Reports’ – ‘Member reports’ – Aerospace Education – AEM Listing (w/names) Complete request and “CLICK” run

Finding AEM’s in the Wing and Units. 1 2

Finding AEM’s in the Wing and Units. 2-3

Finding AEM’s in the Wing and Units. 3 Choose report that best suits your inquiry.

Finding AEM’s in the Wing and Units. You may choose one or neither Choose dates Choose format CLICK View Report and it will download. 4

How To Get Started- Externally 1. After Wing approval, the DAE or AEOs should promote and coordinate the TOP Flights with teachers: a. For current AEMs- connect with current AEMs and/or CAP teacher members to plan a TOP Flights event b. For recruitment of new AEMs- arrange to meet with potential AEMs at a school setting or by conducting an AE workshop whereby participants should become members to attend and participate in TOP Flights.

Implementation 1. Approved pilots should use the same safety and orientation procedures as in cadet orientation flights: a. follow safety regulations b. give airplane orientation c. conduct two thirty-minute flights: front seat; back seat 2. AEOs should integrate flights with AE workshop activities to be taken back into the classroom. 3. PAOs should be invited to be present to take photos or conduct interviews with participants.

AE Workshop Information 1. The workshop portion of TOP Flights may be presented with the orientation flight or at another time prior to the flight. Refer to the TOP Workshop Power point Workshop sample schedules and lesson ideas can be found online at www.capmembers.com/ae.

Conclusion of Program 1. After the workshop and flight are completed, the teachers should complete the short evaluation form found online at http://www.capmembers.com/ae under the TOP Flights link. 2. The teachers are presented a Teacher Orientation Program Flight certificate with the number of contact hours earned as a result of this professional development activity. 3. Copies of the evaluations and any PAO articles and/or pictures to should be sent to NHQ/AE for use in future publications for TOP Flights.

Reimbursement for the Mission 1. All previously-mentioned coordination and approval is secured. 2. Pilot or other designated person enters the Teacher Orientation Program Flights type “C” mission request into WMIRS. 3. CAP NHQ /AE receives the request and approves, if funding permits. 4. The Wing Commander then receives the request for approval. 5. After the mission is complete, the reimbursement process is followed in WMIRS and the Wing is reimbursed for costs.

Huntsville Space Camp Participants and AL Wing Pilots (From summer 2009 program)

For More Information For more information on CAP’s Teacher Orientation Program Flights, go to www.capmembers.com/ae