What is Required of Pilots and of Sky Watch?

WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO DO AFTER I HAVE JOINED?

There are just two categories of pilot in SWCAP enabling pilots to donate whatever level of commitment and available time they wish. You do not have to decide now which category you want - decide when you are in and have studied the SWCAP Operations Manual.

1. 'Basic' The miniumum qualification to join Sky Watch as a pilot is a PPL/NPPL with a radio licence. In the case of a NPPL(M) the licence must be unrestricted. Once the application is approved the the applicant will be assigned to the nearest Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol Unit and awarded the 'basic' category.

These pilots will be expected to 'observe and report' during their recreational flying and may elect to carry out patrol flights not below 2,000 feet minimum separation distance (msd). Any incident will be reported to the emergency services via the nearest ATC unit and a 999 call.

You will be encouraged to take part in training exercises that will improve your flying, navigation and radio communication skills.

2. 'Responder' - Those pilots who have in excess of 250 flying hours of which 200 hours are P1 may apply to their unit chief pilot to have their name annoted 'responder'.

Before becoming a 'responder' you will have taken part in a number of training exercises and have demonstrated the ability to carry out complex search patterns below 2,000 feet msd, but not below 500 feet msd. Those pilots who have had their name added to their unit call-out list may expect to receive requests from the RAF Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) and their local HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), via their unit chief pilot to fly air observation sorties when dedicated air search assets are in short supply.

All air searches by Sky Watch aircraft will take place during daylight hours and over land. However, during a coastal search the aircraft may be flown over the sea as long as it remains within gliding distance of the shore. As a 'rule of thumb' an aircraft at or above 1,000 feet msd may be flown up to one mile offshore. The final go/no go decision will be made by the aircraft commander.


SWCAP Airvan getting airborne from Shotton - County Durham