The document outlines the training and qualifications required for members of the Sugar Valley Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol to become mission observers. It details various levels of training, prerequisites, observer responsibilities, and safety practices essential for effective participation in searches and emergency services missions. Additionally, it provides resources for further training and emphasizes the importance of safety, preparedness, and coordination with other agencies during operations.

1. Sugar Valley Comp Sq
Civil Air Patrol
Matthew T. Phillips, Maj, CAP
Professional Development Officer, MER-NC-082
Mission Pilot and SET-qualified Mission
Observer
Observer
Training

2. The SQTR Process
 Every CAP Emergency Services qualification is awarded
following the completion of training objectives in a “Specialty
Qualification Training Record” (“SQTR,” pronounced ‘skeeter’)
 Prerequisites
 Familiarization and Preparatory Training
 Advanced Training
 Exercise Participation
 The tasks involved at each level are tracked in “OpsQuals,”
which is available in eServices (http://www.capnhq.gov/).
 Members frequently keep track of their training on paper
equivalents to the online system.
 YOU own your training.

3. Prerequisites
 General Emergency Services (Level 1 and CAPT 116)
 Mission Scanner
 Age Eligibility: 18 years
 Commander Approval
Mission Observer

4. Familiarization and Preparatory Training
 Use In-Flight Services (O-2010)
 Plot a Route on a Sectional Chart (O-2013)
 Prepare for a Trip to a Remote Mission Base (O-2107)
 Discuss Mission Observer Duties and Responsibilities (P-2007)
 Discuss the Dangers of Icing (P-2008)
 Discuss the Dangers of Reduced Visibility Conditions (P-2009)
 Discuss the Dangers of Wind and Thunderstorms (P-2010)
 Discuss the Effects of Density Altitude on Aircraft Performance
(P-2011)
 Identify Controlled and Special Use Airspace on a Sectional (P-
2012)
Mission Observer

5. Advanced Training
 IS100 (FEMA Course; see http://bit.ly/capescourses)
 IS700 (FEMA Course)
 Aicraft Ground Handling
 O-2002: Operate the Aircraft Radios
 O-2011: Operate the VOR and DME
 O-2012: Operate the GPS
 O-2108: Assist in ELT Searches
 O-2109: Assist in Planning and Performing a Route Search
 O-2110: Assist in Planning and Performing a Parallel Search
 O-2112: Assist in Planning and Performing Point Based Searches
 O-2115: Assist in Planning and Performing a Creeping Line Search
Mission Observer

6. Observer Resources
 National Emergency Services Academy / Mission Aircrew
School
http://nesa.cap.gov/mas-curriculum-2
 Mission Aircrew Reference Text: Volume II – Mission
Pilot/Mission Observer
http://bit.ly/mo-reference
 Operational Mission Inflight Guide
http://bit.ly/inflight-guide
Links updated 13 June 2014

7. Emergency Services Training and
Mission Participation
 You need to be safe.
 CAPF 161 (Emergency
contact information) with
copy for supervisor/mission
base.
 Proper uniform.
 Confidence and experience
in your assigned role.
 You need to be qualified.
 CAPF 101 with proper
qualifications shown.
 New qualifications only from
qualified instructors.

8. CAP Aircrew Positions
• Mission Pilot
• Mission Observer
• Mission Scanner

9. Observer Duties and
Responsibilities
 Report in “I’M SAFE” condition and ready
to conduct effective visual searches.
 Appropriate uniform, gear, and
credentials.
 Assist in planning; may be mission
commander.
 Check necessary equipment on board
(especially checklists and references)
 Assist in avoiding obstacles during
taxiing / airport operations.
 Assist in radio operation.
 Assist in navigation equipment operation
as directed.
 Maintain situational awareness.
 Assist in monitoring fuel status (and
other safety-of-flight issues).

10. Mission Planning
Plot a Route on a Sectional Chart (O-2013)
Prepare for a Trip to a Remote Mission Base (O-
2107)
Identify Controlled and Special Use Airspace on
a Sectional (P-2012)

11. Plot a Route on a Sectional Chart
 Determine distance, heading, and approximate time to search
area.
 Observe any obstacles, terrain issues, airspace classifications.
 Observe search route issues (e.g. will standard search patterns
take you into controlled airspace?)
 Note which visual cues you will use to aid the pilot in
navigating.

12. Aviation Plotter

15. CAP Gridded Sectional

16. Recognize Special-Use Airspace

17. Evaluate Special-Use Airspace

18. Prepare for Trip to Remote Base
 Try to always have in a mission-ready bag:
 Uniform (incl. change of t-shirts, etc.)
 Credentials (PIC must certify to IC/FRO): FAA, Medical, CAPF 101,
CAPF 161, Driver License (state and CAP), SQTRs.
 Planning supplies (sectionals, plotter, pens/pencils/highlighters,
extra paper, log forms, CAPF 104)
 Personal equipment: headset, snacks, water, money
 Cell phone (turned off in flight!)
 Charts for mission areas
 Road maps for mission areas
 Back up the pilot: pre-flight inspections, weight-and-balance,
ORM analysis.

19. Weather and Hazards to Flight
Discuss the Dangers of Icing (P-2008)
Discuss the Dangers of Reduced Visibility Conditions (P-2009)
Discuss the Dangers of Wind and Thunderstorms (P-2010)
Discuss the Effects of Density Altitude on Aircraft Performance (P-2011)
Use In-Flight Services (O-2010)

20. Dangers of Icing
 Types of Icing
 Carburetor icing
 Pitot icing
 Airframe icing
 Instrument effects
 Incorrect readings
 Airframe effects
 Decreased lift
 Increased drag
 Decreased control effect
 You could get cold.

21. Reduced Visibility and Turbulence
 Reduced visibility makes it harder to see directly and indirectly.
 Items outside the aircraft are obscured.
 Looking into reduced visibility conditions tends to cause accelerated
eye fatigue.
 Identifying hazards to flight is more difficult.
 Turbulence is a disturbance in air patterns. Except in extreme
conditions, it is not unsafe…
 UNLESS it makes aircrew uncomfortable or nauseous,
compromising effectiveness.
 Do not try to be a hero.
 Any adverse weather requires heightened vigilance by all
aircrew.

22. Dangers of Wind and
Thunderstorms
 Control of aircraft, especially by crosswinds (particular danger
during takeoff and landing).
 Compromised airspeed (rapid wind changes around the aircraft
can cause loss of control or stall).
 Downdrafts can cause aircraft to lose altitude (see
development of thunderstorms on next slide).

23. Thunderstorm Development

24. Thunderstorm Wind Patterns

25. Density Altitude
 Atmospheric conditions (particularly temperature) can reduce
the airplane’s performance.
 Airplane control performance is always reduced at higher
altitudes.
 When it is particularly hot, the density altitude on the ground
may be several thousand feet more than the actual measured
elevation.
 That means that on the ground, at 1000 feet MSL, the plane
will perform like it is at 3000 ft MSL, so it will climb slower, etc.

26. In-Flight Services
 Flight Service Stations (also
called for briefing before flight).
 Flight Watch (tune 122.0 and
call “Flight Watch”).
 Automatic Terminal Information
Service (ATIS).
 Hazardous In-Flight Weather
Advisory Service (HIWAS).
 Pilot Reports (PIREP).

27. What to Expect from Inflight Training
Advanced training tasks are the practical information you’ll need to perform
as a Mission Observer.

28. CAP Search Patterns
Search patterns may seem complex,
but the goal is to simplify search to
increase effectiveness and efficiency.

29. Navigational Instruments

30. Incident Command System
 FEMA’s Incident Command
System ensures that
professionals and volunteers
from a wide range of training
backgrounds are able to work
together.
 We frequently coordinate with
NC Emergency Management,
NC Highway Patrol, other CAP
wings, NC Air National Guard,
etc.
 Mission Observer qualification
requires ICS-100 and ICS-700.

31. Observe Safely
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