What is the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)?

• A. The official aerial research and development arm of the DoD
• B. A private, for-profit aviation club
• C. A congressionally chartered, non-profit corporation and the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the USAF
• D. A state-owned civil defense agency

Answer: (C)

CAP is about its formal status and relationship to the Air Force. It’s a congressionally chartered, non-profit corporation that serves as the volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. This means it was created by federal law, operates as a non-profit with volunteers, and works in support of Air Force missions, not as a for-profit entity or a DoD research arm. It’s not state-owned or a private aviation club. In practice, CAP provides emergency services, search and rescue, disaster relief, and aerospace education through civilian volunteers who collaborate with the Air Force.