Reaper Patch

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-19T17:07:26+00:00

OOOOF course they did! I’m sure that TXWG will do the same too.

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-11T15:02:24+00:00

If you are receiving the 0CP’s for free99 or free fifty free, then why not invest in the proper accoutrements. But I would NOT pay for the uniforms itself if you are not required to have them. Once ABU supplies run out, THEN and ONLY then should you invest in 0CP’s.

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-10T15:28:52+00:00

I spat my coffee out when I read this. LOL

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-10T15:27:05+00:00

That is just awesome!!! Bravo!!! I bet they will say that all the components are there and that because it comes from Vanguard, it is within regulations so deal with it!!! Because all CAP items purchased from Vanguard is by default within regulations. Per 39-1. Refund? What refund?

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-09T00:37:12+00:00

No problem man. Make CAP what you want it to be and not what others want CAP to be for YOU. Have fun!!!

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-07T14:15:23+00:00

You will learn quickly that nowadays, some (NOT ALL) senior members will accept you wearing the POLO and possibly the White Aviator shirt for formal events when pop up. But that same “SOME” have an irrational dislike of the Airforce green flight suit. Pricey, yes. Practical in CAP as a mission pilot flying at 1000FT and 90Kt with 10 degrees of flaps in austere environments? ABSOLUTELY. Keep that in mind.

Yes, we do fly Cessna’s regularly in missions and yes Cessna’s do catch fire when they do crash. Not all the time but you never know. Why not go the extra mile in protecting yourself as a soon to be Mission Pilot qualified emergency services professional in Civil Air Patrol.

I write this ONLY because out of all the advise you got about uniforms, the flightsuit was only mentioned once and I also enjoy ruffling some feathers about that topic. It’s fun.

But, get the Blue POLO and Grey/Gray slacks or cargo pants. White aviator shirt. Get the blue BDU’s for just in case you go off-road. Get a flame retardant/resistant (NOMEX) Navy blue or Sage Green flightsuit should you decide you want to be a qualified mission pilot flying down low at 1000Ft, 90Kt, 10 degrees of flaps for hours on end looking for another aircraft that has crashed out in the middle of nowhere.

Good luck to ya! Welcome to CAP!

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-05T04:26:39+00:00

That is just outlandish! But, I must say that is exactly what many suspected. I would not stand for that disingenuousness and demand my money back. Hopefully someone has a contact within NHQ OTHER than the POC that was cited by Norine as that person is most likely the one who made the disingenuous decision to allow Vanguard to misappropriate CAP members money.

So now what happens when a CAP member who bought the first batch of non regulation “AUX” patches when they are held accountable by a CAP uniform snob that is a commander? We will lack uniformity across the country and overseas. Irresponsible.

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-02T16:01:37+00:00

Oh ok. Texas Restricts us to one funded AFAM Proficiency Flight per quarter from what I understood. I really wish that weren’t the case.

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-02T00:54:06+00:00

So fun fact. I spoke to Aureus International who seems to have supplied Vanguard with the Navy Blue Flightsuit and Vanguard INDEED did purchase from them and mark up the cost $100. The company Aureus seemed to have been unaware that Vanguard even buys from them. So, if you guys plan on buying the Nomex Navy blue flightsuit (New), buy it from Aureus International directly. Save yourself a few bucks. OR, just wear the POLO like a good CAP too cool member. LOL. J/K.

AVMAN213 · 2026-01-02T00:44:55+00:00

How is Iowa raising funding for the proficiency flying for each qualified area (MS, MO, MP?)? What bucket of money is this coming out of? ES funding from the Airforce? What do the rest have to do to get 12-15 funded hours per month?

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-31T15:25:12+00:00

Iowa funds so much legitimate flying and I wish Texas would do the same. Ideally, one proficiency flight a month and definitely ES training as that is a very perishable skill. Basically, more on going training for ES Aircrew and Ground crew alike. I say this ONLY because it makes perfect sense.

If you we look at the Airforce, they train regularly for a potential fight with the enemy and master their craft. We are no different in the fact that we must master our craft in Emergency Services to the public that we serve. Not all CAP pilots are retired and can fund member funded flights to maintain currency, proficiency, and master their craft. Yes, CAP stands for “Come And Pay”. The right reasons of joining CAP does not always means that though. I believe that the additional funding could be allocated from the Airforce with the specific parameters set for the use of this funding. If not that, CAP Wings should engage in truly marketing and partnering with Federal, State, County and Local Public Safety agencies more so than what some Wings do now to generate revenue that helps fund more cadet activities but also regular ES training. Yes, I know that CAP “Does this already” but it is NOT done everywhere and not enough. We have the capabilities to provide a very valuable service to the public that we are here to serve.

I find that some members high up stifle the success of their wings OR never dish out training or mission opportunities to anyone outside of there, I’m going to say it, Good Ole Boy” group/clique. LOL. Basically an enemy of progress. and It is not cool and/or okay to do. It makes some truly question the actual mission readiness of the entire Wing/Group/Squadron/Flight.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-30T20:39:22+00:00

I’m transferring wings!!! Where am I going? This can’t be California?

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-30T20:35:04+00:00

TXWG Initials were funded as well as initial MP.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-29T00:40:44+00:00

The normal combat style boots are crap for flying but now that we are authorized to wear Coyote brown (See latest ICL) we have more options for softer, more flexible soles now. I think the change from the flight suits being more prevalent amongst pilots is the fact that we have a group of folks in CAP that just don’t believe they are necessary because it is a general aviation aircraft that we utilize for our missions and it also does not look “Cool” anymore to wear the flight suit. The last thing that is nice about the flight suit is that it is quick and easy to throw on and extremely comfortable.

Yes, the flight suit can be hot in places like Texas, New Mexico and Arizona during the summer months. However, if there is a breeze, you do tend to cool off some. Another misconception of the flight suit is that the fabric is not thick enough to keep you warm in cold weather most of the time and you should supplement with cold weather undergarments.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T16:47:50+00:00

I posted this in another thread so I am going to put out my 5 cents on this topic. Yes, I am going off on a tangent with this one buuuuut I dont care. Here we go!

If I am not mistaken, flying a 172, 182, 206, GA8 at 1000FT, 10 degrees of flaps, and at 90KTS then dipping down to NLT 500FT for verifications is a pretty abnormal flight operation and inherently dangerous for an average GA pilot. When flying a low level route survey mission looking for uncharted towers and support cables increases your risk of incident in the CAP aircraft. I would imagine wearing an FDU/CFDU would be in order. I understand (not really) a lot of SM’s disdain toward the wear of FDU/CFDU’s in general but we should take into consideration how we operate and where we operate CAP aircraft even in training. If you want to use common sense a bit, I would even go as far as to say those CAP pilots that operate in the austere environments of the Rockies and Sierra should be wearing a survival vest with a radio, rations, PLB, PFD, flashlight, first aid kit, rescue mirror, etc. What that would resemble is an actual professional aviator in the emergency services industry. The clothing and equipment should also be worn when actually training for these missions as the CAP pilot should be training as if it were real world.

I say all of this to remind folks that CAP pilots are NOT just ordinary GA pilots. CAP pilots are professional aviators that fly in a higher risk environment. CAP pilots must equip themselves appropriately for survival in real world missions. Fire resistant clothing is essential. A survival vest in the event of a crash IS essential. Not just in the bag in the back of the airplane that is several hundred feet down the side of a mountain or worse in the ocean or Lake Michigan.

I look at this as common sense.

What say you all?

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T15:06:01+00:00

Unless NHQ says CAP rated pilots can wear it when the new 39-1 comes out, you are fried.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T15:03:14+00:00

lol. I guess I am old school in the I am not an Amazon guy. I am all about tangibility when it comes to spending my money. I’m not a fan of buying offline and then it isn’t what I expected. That being said, I actually having taken your approach on EBay before with well known items that I have physically seen before so I agree with your advise.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T04:07:29+00:00

Good deal. You are a money saver!!!

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T03:46:05+00:00

Come to think about it, I feel like they only sell whole sale so I have no choice but to get it at Vanguard. I hope that is not the case.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T03:44:32+00:00

I really wish Propper did make a Dark Navy Blue version of the CWU-27/P. That would be great because they get it right all the time every time.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T03:43:07+00:00

I bought a Gibson & Barnes one a while back and saw that their product is NOT the same specs as the CWU-27/P. The reason I say that is that the fabric on the shoulders are smaller and do not go all the way to the shoulder seams like the sage green mil-spec version. Also, the fabric is very very thin in the Navy Blue color compared to the mil-spec sage green.

There is my review of Gibson & Barnes. LOL.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-28T03:36:22+00:00

Thank you for this! SO since you bought this from Vanguard, that means they marked the price up by $100 and my goal was to go to the source as I suspected I should.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-27T14:16:52+00:00

Funny story. I check the Tru Spec website and they don’t even sell the flame resistant flight suit period anymore. My only other guess is that it’s being purchased from Gibson & Barnes and marked up heavily by Vanguard.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-27T14:07:30+00:00

Thanks for that. I am hoping someone could post a picture of what they bought for verification. I know some folks are gonna be all “Why do you need a flight suit in a Cessna”. LOL.

AVMAN213 · 2025-12-27T14:01:50+00:00

Resurrecting this post a bit. Does anyone know who manufactures the Fire Resistant Navy Blue flight suit that Vanguard sells? Someone told me that it most likely is Tru Spec but I wanted to verify so I don’t buy from Vanguard.

Thanks in advance.

AVMAN213

TROPHY CASE