PROPS: CAP Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Overcoming Challenges: Wash. Wing's Hoffer, Other CAP Members Serve Despite Disabilities

Civil Air Patrol recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a profile of Maj. Tom Hoffer, who has overcome his physical challenges to rise through the ranks as a member of the Washington Wing's South Sound Composite Squadron and serves as the wing's diversity officer.

More About Maj. Hoffer and His CAP Service

Maj. John Pak

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jamison Satterlee

D.C. Aero Club Hosts CAP's National Commander

Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, CAP national commander, recently spoke to members of the Aero Club of Washington, D.C.

The Aero Club was founded in 1909 in the nation’s capital with the mission of providing a forum for the discussion and advancement of aviation and aerospace.

T.J. Schulz, president of the Aero Club’s Board of Governors, introduced Smith, who spoke to the group during its virtual luncheon on Oct. 20. The club provided this link so CAP members can hear the general's address online.

“Gen. Smith was excellent,” said Nancy Hackett, executive director of the Aero Club. “He connected with the viewers with a very personal and human touch, and then educated everyone on the many and varied functions CAP performs. Our members tend to represent the aviation industry from a governmental and contractual way, and this was a look at 'boots on the ground’ aviation.”

Command Chief: Think Safety First This Halloween

Dear CAP Members,

On Saturday many communities across America will celebrate Halloween. For cadets and senior members who enjoy this time of year, I ask that you consider a few safety tips if you really have to go out to trick or treat.

Halloween can be safely enjoyed, especially when families put care into planning and supervising. There are multiple websites, social media and news outlets that offer a good selection of health and safety tips for Halloween.

This year many of these sources are advising against door-to-door trick or treating. But if you must, definitely wear a mask and consider decorating them to complement your costumes. And if you do go out, please keep a safe distance from other groups of trick-or-treaters. Consider light-colored outfits so you can be seen walking in the dark.

Don’t ring doorbells with your hands, because many different fingers will be touching them. Wait for the group ahead of you to move on before you approach. This is one time using a prop to ring doorbells will protect

everyone.

Also consider limiting your fun to immediate family or groups of people you already know.

Have fun this Halloween but think safety first.

Semper Vigilans!

Chief Master Sgt. Robert M. Dandridge

National Command Chief Master Sergeant

CDC Guidance for Halloween

FAA Calls for Wing Strut Attachment Inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an airworthiness directive (AD2020-18-01), effective Nov. 12, that affects the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracking at the wing strut attach point. This condition, if not properly addressed, could result in wing failure during flight, which could result in loss of control of the plane.

This AD applies to 140 CAP aircraft, mostly the organization’s older Cessna 172s and 182s. Inspection must be completed within 200 flight hours or the next 12 months, whichever comes first. If cracks are found in this area, a service kit must be installed before further flight. If no cracks are found, inspection must be repeated every 36 months.

CAP’s Logistics and Missions Resources directorate will be creating a discrepancy for all affected aircraft in AMRAD, stating inspections must be completed at the next Annual/100-Hour inspection.

Information to the Field

AD2020-18-01

Va. Squadron Hosts Webinar on Upcoming Lunar Flight

For the first time since the Apollo era in the early 1970’s, America is preparing to land a spacecraft on the surface of the moon.

Now being built by a company in Pittsburgh named Astrobotic, the Peregrine lunar lander is on track to become the vanguard in a long series of lunar missions, both robotic and human. That landing slated for the second half of 2021 will open a new era in space flight that will see our nearest celestial neighbor become a hub of permanent human activity.

The Virginia Wing’s Burke Composite Squadron hosted Astrobotic’s mission director, Sharad Bhaskaran, on Oct. 7 as he presented a fascinating look ahead at this history-making space flight. Following the meeting, cadets and senior members from across the Mid-Atlantic Region took part in a question-and-answer session.

Watch the Lunar Flight Webinar Online

More information about Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander may be found here.

First Cadet Earns sUAS Mission Pilot Rating in Pa. Wing

The Pennsylvania Wing’s first cadet Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) mission pilot just wants to use his interests to help to save lives.

Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Mark D. Sedlak II (seen here with his father, 2nd Lt. Mark Sedlak) received his mission pilot rating during a recent training mission at Lenape Technical School in Ford City.

Sedlak is a member of Butler Composite Squadron 712, which he joined in December 2018

More About Pa. Cadet's New sUAS Rating

NHQ News

Next Up for Review: The Core Value of 'Excellence'

National Headquarters' Marketing & Strategic Communications team is reprising National Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Smith’s Core Values Video Series from 2019.

Over the next two weeks, the general will talk about the remaining CAP core values — Excellence and Respect. The second core value, “Volunteer Service,” was reviewed last week and the first core value, “Integrity,” the week before.

It’s time to hear Smith’s video on “Core Value Series: Excellence.”