National Flight Academy

The goal of the National Flight Academies is to give cadets an opportunity to fly approximately 10 hours, weather and schedule permitting, and receive instruction from an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. Cadets are given appropriate ground and air instruction and opportunities to practice/perform assigned maneuvers. Additionally, cadets get the opportunity to work with aviation professionals, civilian and military, who share their expertise on how to prepare for a career as an aviator. For those interested in a career as a pilot, this is your first step towards a private pilot certificate and could help you achieve one item on the Cadet Wings "ideal candidate" list if you solo!

Eligibility Requirements

NOTE: Those who have attended a powered flight academy or have soloed a powered aircraft are not eligible for powered academy.

NOTE: Those who have soloed a glider are not eligible for glider academies.

NOTE: Those who are who are enrolled in Cadet Wings are ineligible to attend a national activity until they have completed the program or are disenrolled.

Participants

1. Completed encampment and recorded in eServices by time of application
2. Age 16 by activity start date
3. Start application for Student Pilot Certificate--Getting a Student Pilot Certificate is a multi-step process which typically takes 6-8 weeks. If you currently hold a certificate which will expire before 31 December 2023, you need to get a new one issued. There is no charge to create an account and begin the certificate application process. Go to https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx to create an account and begin application. Go to https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/HelpandInfo.aspx?id=5 for help on creating account and applying for a student pilot certificate. If selected to attend, you will have to provide copy of your student pilot certificate to activity staff by the 8 December payment deadline.
4. To be eligible to solo, you must hold a valid Third Class Medical Certificate (for a list of Aviation Medical Examiners--AMEs--in your area, go to www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification)
5. Hold a government issued photo identification card (driver's license or photo identification card issued by your state or federal government - not a school ID card)
6. If you are slotted for the activity, you will need provide proof of citizenship. A list of acceptable documents is listed in Code of Federal Regulations: Title 49:Subtitle B: Chapter XII: Subchapter C; § 1552.3(h). Please follow this link for information regarding why you must bring ORIGINAL and/or UNEXPIRED identification to the academy. http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/uscitizen.html. If you are not a US citizen, please contact the activity director when you are slotted for the information to provide in order to participate.
7. Bring Pilot Log Book

Staff

Cadets

Cadet staff are not allowed at this activity.

Senior Members

Opportunities for those with cadet supervision, primary flight instruction, mission administration, and/or mission operations experience

Must have a current membership card and be a member in good standing

Must have completed all requirements for initial membership in the Civil Air Patrol (i.e. CPPT)

Flight Instructors - At a minimum, must be a current CAP Instructor Pilot (Check Pilot status Preferred)

Ground Instructors - Must be an appropriately rated FAA Ground Instructor

CAP Van Driver - Must hold a valid CAP Drivers Permit for a 12pax van

How to Apply

Participants

Apply online or on the ncsas.com homepage to connect you to eServices' Registration and Payment System. Applications will be accepted from 15 September onward. Applications submitted after 16 October are accepted but are marked "late" and will be considered AFTER all applications submitted before the deadline. Priority timelines do not apply to staff applications.

Staff

Limited staff positions available to include Finance and MSO. Apply online or on the ncsas.com homepage to connect you to eServices' Registration and Payment System. All staff must apply via eServices, or they will not receive credit for the activity in their records. You will be contacted to let you know whether or not you have not been selected. Applications will be accepted from 15 September onward. Applications submitted after 16 October are accepted but are marked "late" and will be considered AFTER all applications submitted before the deadline.

Financial Support

Go to the eServices CadetInvest Module and apply for Cadet Lift and Take-Off Program Cadet (TOP), to be considered for needs-based financial assistance or NCSA scholarships. Also apply for flight scholarships. These programs are designed to offset costs associated with attending some NCSAs, as well as flight academies. They include payment of your activity fees and transportation to and from the activity. Go to the CadetInvest pages for more details. Deadline to apply for scholarships and financial assistance is 16 October. Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity. You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity. You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.

Graduation Requirements

• Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior
• Activity Director determines course objectives met

Individual Activity Information

Southeast Region Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• December 27, 2023 - January 5, 2024
• Sebring, FL
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-SER Powered
• Cadet Participant Course #: 455
• Staff Participant Course #: 456
• Activity Full Name: National Flight Academy - Southeast Region Powered Flight Academy

Travel Information

Activity Staff will provide transportation between Southwest International Airport (RSW) in Ft Meyers, FL and the activity location.

HI Wing Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• January 6, 2024 - April 7, 2024
• Distributed Locations, HI
• Minimum Age: 16
• $400.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-HI Wing Powered
• Cadet Participant Course #: 469
• Staff Participant Course #: 470
• Activity Full Name: National Flight Academy - HI Wing Powered Flight Academy (Distributed)

Travel Information

Activity Staff will provide transportation between TBA and the activity location.

NC Wing Richard Augur Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• March 1, 2024 - June 2, 2024
• Ashville, NC
• Minimum Age: 16
• $450.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-NC Wing Powered
• Cadet Participant Course #: 440
• Staff Participant Course #: 441
• Activity Full Name: National Flight Academy - NC Wing Richard Augur Powered Flight Academy (Distributed)

This will be a non-resident (DAY ONLY) activity which will officially start on 1 March 2024 and continue until 2 June 2024. Participants need to live within 75mi radius of Asheville, NC. This activity is limited to 6 Cadets.

Travel Information

Activity Staff will not provide transportation to and from activity location.

AK Wing Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• March 15, 2024 - June 30, 2024
• Distributed Locations, AK
• Minimum Age: 16
• $800.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-AK Wing Powered
• Cadet Participant Course #: 427
• Staff Participant Course #: 428
• Activity Full Name: National Flight Academy - Alaska Wing Powered Flight Academy (Distributed)

Travel Information

Activity Staff will provide transportation between Fairbanks International Airport, AK (FAI) and the activity location.

MD Wing Robert Ayres Solo & Ground Academy

Basic Information

• May 17, 2024 - July 7, 2024
• Hagerstown, MD
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-MD Wing Robert Ayres
• Cadet Participant Course #: 409
• Staff Participant Course #: 410
• Activity Full Name: NFA-MD Wing Robert Ayres Solo & Ground Powered Flight Academy

NOTE to applicants: This flight academy also includes a full ground school which requires attending 2 ground school weekends:TBD May and TBD June.

Travel Information

Activity Staff does not provide transportation Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall (BWI); Dulles International (IAD).

TX Wing Shirley Martin Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• June 1, 2024 - June 8, 2024
• Nacogdoches, TX
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-TX Wing Shirley Martin
• Cadet Participant Course #: 384
• Staff Participant Course #: 387
• Activity Full Name: National Flight Academy - TX Wing Shirley Martin Cadet Powered Flight Academy

Travel Information

Activity Staff will provide transportation between George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX (KIAH) and the activity location.

Great Lakes Region Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• June 7, 2024 - June 17, 2024
• Oshkosh, WI
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

Application Information

• eServices Short Name: NFA-GLR
• Cadet Participant Course #: 239
• Staff Participant Course #: 240
• Activity Full Name: National Flight Academy-Great Lakes Region Powered Flight Academy

Travel Information

Activity Staff will provide transportation between TBD and the activity location.

Southwest Region Glider Flight Academy

Basic Information

• June 12, 2024 - June 22, 2024
• Socorro, NM
• Minimum Age: 14
• $900.00

Northcentral Region Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• June 13, 2024 - June 27, 2024
• Fremont, NE
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

Southwest Region Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• June 13, 2024 - June 23, 2024
• Ada, OK
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

IL Wing Lt Col Raymond Johnson Flight Academy

Basic Information

• June 14, 2024 - June 29, 2024
• Mattoon, IL
• Minimum Age: N/A
• Varies

NJ Wing Falcon Flight Powered Academy

Basic Information

• July 5, 2024 - July 13, 2024
• Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
• Minimum Age: 16
• $900.00

UT Wing Glider Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

Northeast Region Glider Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

TX Wing Glider Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

Southeast Region Glider Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

MAR Col Roland Butler Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

WA Wing Joint Flight Academy-Desert Eagle

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

NY Wing Powered Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

Northeast Region Glider Flight Academy

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16

National Virtual Private Pilot Ground School

Basic Information

• Minimum Age: 16