The United States Coast Guard has long been involved with aviation. Beginning in 1915, the Coast Guard utilized the Curtis flying boat as the test of weather aviation was practical for search and rescue. Today, air is one of the most major components of the SAR mission of the Coast Guard.
Auxiliary members who are private pilots volunteer their time and planes to assist the regular Coast Guard as other members volunteer their boats and boating skills also to assist the regular Coast Guard in their life saving mission.
Air operations has been in the Hawaiian islands for many yeas and currently have several aircraft available for a variety of requested missions requested by Honolulu sector via Coast Guard Air Station, Barbers Point, Oahu.
Air Operations - Pilot Qualifications:
There are three Auxiliary pilot qualifications:
1. Co-Pilot
2. First Pilot
3. Aircraft Commander
Auxiliary pilots must hold an FAA pilot license and a current medical certificate.
Co-Pilots must have at least 200 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) hours, pass the pilot/observer open book tests' A and B, have completed egress training and complete a 75 yard swim in a pool, and must complete the observer initial qualification syllabus under the supervision of a Auxiliary first pilot or aircraft commander.
First pilots must complete all co-pilot qualifications and have 500 hours of PIC time.
Aircraft commanders must have completed all requirements for co-pilot and first Pilot and have logged 1,000 hours of PIC time and be a current Instrument rated pilot.
| Air Crew
The Auxiliary air crew qualification was created to provide the Auxiliary Pilot a capable assistant during all phases of Auxiliary aviation missions and especially during times of high cockpit workload. Well trained Auxiliary air crew will be able to fulfill all Auxiliary observer duties, while also assisting the Auxiliary pilot with radio communications, weather gathering and recording, navigation in both visual and instrument meteorological conditions, and visual and instrument approaches to airports. The intent of this program in no way lessens the authority or responsibility of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC). The PIC is solely responsible for the delegation of air crew duties during an Auxiliary mission. INITIAL CERTIFICATION - A member who has been approved to enter the Auxiliary air crew syllabus and who passes the required medical screening may begin training toward air crew certification. The trainee must first be certified as an Auxiliary air observer. Once certified as an Auxiliary observer, he or she may proceed to Aircrew training which consists of satisfactory completion of the open book pilot exam and a minimum of five hours of air crew flight training |
| Observer Qualifications
Auxiliary members who are interested in qualifying for Observer, must complete the following: 1. On-line, open book Observer test with a score of 90% or better. 2. Complete egress training and a 75 yard swim in a pool 3. Complete 10 hours flight time with a first pilot or aircraft commander for training in Coast Guard radio procedures and SAR planning.
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| Qualifications
All aircrew are responsible to for keeping their individual qualifications up to date. Pilot, Air Crew and Observers must complete the annual swim and egress training. Pilots must meet their qualifications as outlined in the Auxiliary Operations Manual and FAA requirements for VFR and IFR pilot qualifications. Pilots and Air Crew are required to attend the annual Safety Training Workshop. Observers are encourage to attend if possible. In District 14, the annual safety workshop is held at Coast Guard Air Station, Barbers Point, Oahu. This is an all-day program, and concludes with the required swim and egress training. Those aircrew members who are unable to attend, will be required to view the video tape of the workshop. |
| Missions/Sector
Auxiliary pilots, while under orders, are deemed Coast Guard Pilots. Auxiliary aircraft, while under orders, are deemed Coast Guard aircraft. Missions for AuxAir, Hawaii are requested by Honolulu Sector located at ISC Sand Island, Oahu. Mission requests are forwarded to Auxiliary pilots via the internet, who then make requests for flights based on type of missions requested by Sector and then approved by Air Station, Barbers Point. Auxiliary aviation average 30-40 flight a month. There are various types of mission requests from Sector. These include the following: MEP Missions - Air Support in the area of Marine Environmental Protection. Missions include support of locating and estimating sizes of oil slicks, and other environmental accidents. Logistics Missions - Transportation of personnel and equipment. Auxiliarists transport individuals for all types of Coast Guard support and humanitarian support. Training Missions - Training missions involving air operations and coordination with land and surface vessels to hone skills needed to support the aims and missions of the United States Coast Guard For Information Contact: |