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Laura,

What can you tell me about the Civil Air Patrol? I have a son, who's
almost 13 who is very interested in flying/aviation. Would this be a
good way for him to explore this and possibly learn to fly? I'm a
bit worried that it may be too regimented for him, being associated
with the military and all.

As for the report card thing, I would have made up a report saying he
was meeting or exceeding the requirements for his grade, period. I
don't think I would have signed anything saying he wasn't achieving
70% as that implies he is having difficulties and is only
being 'included' as a special case. Like Sandra said, grades are
very subjective. For some reason, parents feel they are not
qualified to issue them or evaluate the child simply because they are
not 'real teachers'. I can see why a parent would not want to, but
as a formality, like for Pop Warner, I don't see the problem. You
know best your own child, see it as permission to sing his praises
and brag a little!

Sheila

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>
> What can you tell me about the Civil Air Patrol? I have a son,
who's


Sheila,

Sorry I took so long to get back to you.

<Would this be a good way for him to explore this and possibly learn
to fly?

I think this would be a good way to do this. They require study in
aviation and aviation history. Once their first stripe is earned
(this requires a physical test and mutilple choice test), they can
prepare and get a gliders license. They also do o-flights (I think
that's the right name) and they go up in private planes like a
Cessna, with the pilot and two Cadets in each plane. They will land
at two different airports and hopefully get a chance to take over the
controls for a little while.



>I'm a bit worried that it may be too regimented for him, being
associated with the military and all.

Does he like anything about the military? I would say my
son,too,hates anything regimented, but he enjoys the Civil Air
Patrol. They do make them learn all the "about face" stuff and are
quite strict about their appearance. You can always find your local
unit and try it. They require you to attend at least three or four
meeting before you make your final decision. They may vary from one
group to the next, I am not sure. They are an auxillary of the Air
Force. They do a lot of community service such as crowd control for
air shows and traffic control for local events and for the BIG
firework shore on the fourth. They have a CAP t-shirt that he would
have to wear if he joined, until he was there long enough to get his
BDU (Basic Dress Uniform) and after six months gets to wear his Dress
Blues.

Hope this helps!

Laura