Inspection Time

Okay, so maybe inspections aren't this bad. However, the lead up to them can seem like it will be. That's right. My squadron was inspected last night. Fortunately we passed with no difficulty. Ordinarily, I wouldn't blog about these kinds of events, but one of the inspectors reads this blog. When I found that out, I knew I had to write about it. I am always amazed how long, but efficient the inspection actually is. Even though the inspectors were down one person, they still managed to get everything accomplished in a reasonable time. (And yes, I do really mean that.)

One thing my wing is doing that I was unable to organize by the time of the inspection are continuity books. For those that don't know, they're books with the name, rank and bio of the person in charge, along with regulations, files and any other pertinent information regarding that particular department (in my case, Cadet Programs). I've done them for my fraternity, and agree with the practice. Deciding what's 'pertinent' is another issue entirely.

Chair Force Auxiliary?

Ladies and Gentleman, He's Back! Tedda, creator of the sorely missed Civil Air Portal, and the now-defunct Flying Minuteman site has returned with his web-comic series Swivel Chair Patrol. A hilarious, yet good natured look at our beloved Civil Air Patrol, Tedda combines the wit and charm we have come to expect, with a little self-parody and scored a winner.

(Honorable Mention to Chuck Cook for the inspiration for the title)

Publicity and Toys

Lets face it, kids buy toys (no, really?). So as I perused my local pilot shop, I came across a rack filled with Hot Wings diecast aircraft. One of them was a C-172. And so being the big kid I am, I bought it as a tribute to the aircraft I can (almost) fly. It now sits on my desk as a tribute to my nearly earned private pilots license. Among the other aircraft on the rack was a US Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk. With movies such as "the Guardian" and other stuff, the Coast Guard has been getting a lot of great publicity lately.

And so, being obsessive with my beloved Civil Air Patrol, I lamented the fact that CAP doesn't have a model C-172 the same way the CG has one of their workhorse. And maybe that's part of the problem. We target kids for our cadet program, so let's make a toy. Even if 12 year olds are getting out of the toy thing, at least at a younger stage they can be aware of us.

Someone from national contact these guys and have them make a CAP 172.

Just thought I'd share