As the second quarter of 2025 unfolds, the growth of Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Wings program can be measured through a slew of impressive numbers, including a nice round one — 400.
That’s how many young CAP pilots the program will soon have produced since its inception in 2019 as part of the U.S. Air Force auxiliary’s Youth Aviation Initiative created to help address a national pilot shortage.
As of April 20, 379 cadets have received their private pilot certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration. That total is expected to rise quickly during the spring and summer months, with a record 111 cadets enrolled in the program this fiscal year.
“It is truly inspiring to witness the growth of the Cadet Wings program — expanding in the number of applicants and number of cadets served, with the generous support from the U.S. Air Force and the Ray Foundation,” said Kathrine Schmidt, CAP’s senior program manager for cadet aviation.
“Each year, the program continues to set new records and empower cadets to pursue careers in aviation.”
In addition to the 111 cadets who will be enrolled this year, the program has posted other record numbers in:
Graduating 85 private pilots in fiscal 2024, its highest annual total, and
Producing an 88% program completion rate, far above the industry average.
As of December, 109 Cadet Wings graduates have earned advanced Federal Aviation Administration ratings, many of which have opened doors to income-generating opportunities for the young pilots.
“The return on investment in CAP cadets is exponential, benefiting both the aviation industry and CAP’s volunteer service,” Schmidt said. “Through the Youth Aviation Initiative, we remain dedicated to expanding these life-changing opportunities and leading the way in youth-focused aviation programs.”
Nine of those impacted by the program received their private pilot certificates this year:
Cadet Col. Dominic Miranda of the Alabama Wing’s Dothan Composite Squadron.
Cadet Lt. Col. Addison Fitzpatrick of the North Carolina Wing’s Boone Composite Squadron.
Cadet Lt. Col. Kai Halliburton of the Alaska Wing’s Lake Hood Cadet Squadron.
Cadet 1st Lt. Rex Arnold of the Oklahoma Wing’s Clevland County Composite Squadron.
Cadet 1st Lt. Sophie Baldwin of the Georgia Wing’s Golden Isles Cadet Squadron.
Cadet 1st Lt. Austin St. Peter of the Arizona Wing’s Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302.
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Carroll of the Kentucky Wing’s Southern Kentucky Cadet Squadron.
Cadet Tech. Sgt. Kevin Giunta of the Massachusetts Wing’s Hanscom Composite Squadron.
Cadet Staff Sgt. Daniel Krol of the Alaska Wing’s Anchorage Polaris Composite Squadron.
Schmidt said four more FAA check rides are scheduled within the next two weeks, so that number will continue to climb.
Arnold received his certificate after a check ride March 21, making him the 375th Cadet Wings graduate.
Halliburton followed eight days later as the program’s 376th graduate.
“It feels amazing to be one of CAP’s newest pilots,” Halliburton said. “Earning it through the Cadet Wings program was a special honor I am proud of. I am very thankful that I got to be a part of it.”
The funding he received through the program was a key element in helping him achieve his goal of becoming a pilot, he said. “The financial assistance really allowed me to focus on my training and progress faster than I could’ve hoped for,” Halliburton said.
Arnold called receiving his certificate through Cadet Wings “an honor and a privilege.”
“The resources they provided, between their personnel and website, were key to my success in this program,” he said. “I wish that every pilot who wanted to train in CAP would have the opportunity to train with the Cadet Wings team.
“I could not have done it without their support.”
Since his acceptance into the program in October, Arnold said he has wanted “to repay the fantastic opportunity” provided though CAP.
“As many pilots know, becoming a licensed pilot is not an inexpensive endeavor. Between the flight instructors, fuel, materials, ground training, and DPE scheduling, it can add to the stress of flying,” he said.
“Receiving this scholarship took that weight off my shoulders and helped me focus on the plane rather than my funds.
“Without the money from the Cadet Wings program, it would have taken me twice as long to finish my private pilot training or I may have never finished at all,” he added.
Arnold’s immediate future as a new pilot?
“Onboarding with CAP can help me learn more skills to assist me in my journey while also serving my squadron and wing,” he said. “Being a pilot is my goal. No matter where I go in life as long as I am in a plane, flying, I am content.”
Like Arnold, Halliburton is looking forward to paying it forward as a CAP pilot.
“I hope to become more active in CAP aviation, and eventually become certified as a mission pilot,” he said.
“Having half of my training done through CAP will allow me to open up new paths that were not available to me before. Thanks to CAP and the Cadet Wings program, I have a chance to improve the world around me by serving our communities as a pilot.”
Halliburton said he also hopes to use his certificate as a stepping stone to a flying career.
“My goal is to be an airline pilot in the future,” he said, “so this certificate is the first of many I hope to attain.”
Cadet Wings program applications for fiscal 2026 can be submitted beginning at midnight Central Time July 1 and ending at noon Sept. 1.
In 2019 the U.S. Air Force provided initial funding for and continues to support CAP’s Cadet Wings program, whose goal is to increase the nation’s pilot population. More recently, donations by the James C. Ray Foundation provides an additional funding source to open training slots for 56 Cadet Wings pilots. These training slots also include a dedicated CAP mentor for the aspiring pilot. Cadets may qualify for up to $10,000 with a James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship to train for their Federal Aviation Administration private pilot certificate.
