Can a 12 yr old be part of an aircraft search and rescue team?

Question

i know this guy said when he was 12 he was part of an aircraft search and rescue team. It seems to me that a 12 year old wouldn't be allowed to be involved with something as traumatic as that though. Can anyone clear this up?

Answer 1

There are CAP units that are pretty much dedicated to younger people.  It is certainly possible.

If you are interested in aviation, CAP is a great place to start.

Answer 2

i believe most developed countries deploy more sophisticated and trained units than just boyscouts to search for wreckages.

in most situations, the composite unit of both cildren and adults would be slowed down by the small ones, while the completely children "units" would not provide sufficient recovery skills.

Anyway he might was onboard of a SAR craft, probably launched by a local aeroclub to survey the suspected crash locations. on such occasions, even a child might be useful for spotting.

Answer 3

Civil Air Patrol does do search and rescue.  I was in CAP for a year and I got one "find".  But these search and rescue attempts are very basic.  Do not expect to be repelling from helicopters and scaling mountains.  Mostly what they do is organize themselves to cover an area.  They are really volunteers to form a line and locate the aircraft and then call in the experts.  Alot of times these missions can be even more mundane.  The find I got happened at the airport.  The pilot landed so hard he set off his ELT.  (Emergency Locator Transmitter)  So when that signal is going off, someone has to go find it.  And we did, sitting in the hangar where it was supposed to be.  But don't get me wrong, it is a good time at 12 years old and you learn alot.  So to answer your question, a 12 year old can be part of a search and rescue team.  But it isn't like something you would see on TV or think of when you first hear the words rescue team.

Answer 4

I'm not sure.  My son was part of the Civil Air Patrol when he was in high school.  I believe  CAP deals with this type of rescue(he was never called to do so) You might want to check with them and see if there is an age requirement.