AUXAIR is an Auxiliary operational program, but
organized on a district level rather than on a flotilla and division basis. AUXAIR
aviators have varied aviation backgrounds and many have prior military experience. AUXAIR
aviators volunteer their aircraft for use as facilities, just as surface operators
volunteer their boats.
All Auxiliary aircraft meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration
requirements. These aircraft are inspected annually per the Commandants instruction.
Missions
AUXAIR participates in many Coast Guard missions including Search and Rescue, Ports,
Waterways and Coastal Security, Marine Safety, Pollution Response, Aids to Navigation and
Ice Reconnaissance. It also conducts Logistic Transport Missions. AUXAIR is an integral
part of the Coast Guard search and rescue team and its homeland security forces.
As with surface operators, air facility operators are issued patrol orders. Orders are
issued based on schedules created by crew and facility availability and the needs of the
Coast Guard. Coast Guard Air Stations are the Order Issuing Authority for AUXAIR. This alignment of Auxiliary aviation assets in
a district with an Air Station is known as the “squadron concept”, because
aviation orders and direction flow directly between the Air Station and the district
aviation staff.
Auxiliarists involved in AUXAIR take Auxiliary aviation training, completing the
syllabus for their level of qualification. After having their knowledge and skills
approved by an Auxiliary Flight Examiner, they may be certified by the District Director
of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) as Pilots, Observers or Air Crew in the AUXAIR Program.
Pilot Qualifications
There are three qualification levels for pilots, similar to active duty Coast Guard: Aircraft Commander, First Pilot and Co-Pilot. Minimum requirements for the different levels for pilots are measured by Pilot in Command time and are 200 hours for Co-Pilots, 500 hours for First Pilots, and 1000 hours with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rating for Aircraft Commanders. These levels of pilot qualification are also linked to the types of missions they are authorized to fly . All pilots must pass recurrent flight checks and undergo annual safety training.
AUXAIR does not offer flight training for pilots. Rather, it builds on what certificated
pilots already have learned. Pilot applicants learn about search and rescue (SAR)
techniques and patterns, Coast Guard communications, and Coast Guard flight safety rules
and procedures.
Pilot candidates must successfully pass a written open book test, take water survival
training and pass a check flight. Auxiliary aviators are held to high standards of
training and safety. Auxiliary pilots are Pilots-in-Command of each mission.
Non-Pilot Crew Positions
Non-pilot crew positions include Observer and Air Crew. Observers must pass air operations training and egress/water survival training. Air Crew are observers with additional training and qualifications. Observers generally handle communications between aircraft and Coast Guard units, assist the pilot with navigation, keep records in the air, and focus their attention outside while searching. Observers are the payload for search missions. AUXAIR can not perform most missions without the Observer.
Observer training includes: aviation orientation, observation techniques, communications,
search techniques and patterns, and safety and survival skills. Observer candidates must
successfully pass a written open book test, take water survival training, and gain
experience in the air on missions, then demonstrate their skills to a First Pilot or
Aircraft Commander.
Experienced Observers may be eligible to earn the Air Crew rating. The training for the
Air Crew rating rounds out the Observer's knowledge with more instruction on: aviation and
aircraft operations, crew resource management, aviation communications, and navigation
procedures. Candidates for Air Crew pass a physical exam, learn the contents of the Air
Crew Training Syllabus, are trained and examined on that material by Instructor Pilots and
Flight Examiners and, if successful, are certified by the Director of Auxiliary.
All flight crew members (including all Observers, Air Crew, and all pilots) must have
annual emergency egress training and water survival training. This includes a 75-yard
swim, life raft and emergency gear familiarization, and may include optional training in
the SWET – Shallow Water Egress Trainer.
AUXAIR training is ongoing, with aviation training workshops held at least annually.
Recurrent training is conducted in Crew Resource Management (CRM), aviation
decision-making, risk management, aero-medical topics, Federal Aviation Regulations
(FARs), and general aviation safety topics. AUXAIR patrol and administrative topics are
included as well.
Operational Facilities
Pilots may offer their aircraft for use as Coast Guard Auxiliary operational facilities.
Planes are inspected to verify that they meet requirements and that all paperwork is in
order. A marine radio must be available for use in the plane and an external antenna must
be installed. All aircraft used in AUXAIR operations must be USCG approved facilities.
Auxiliarists using their own aircraft on ordered missions may be eligible for
reimbursement for fuel and maintenance expenses.
Currency Maintenance
Currency
maintenance insures that members maintain their proficiency and ability to safely
perform their duties.
Why Join US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Aviation?
AUXAIR offers several very worthwhile ways to be part of a valuable team. One can
serve as Observer, Air Crew, Copilot, First Pilot or Aircraft Commander and participate in
a number of mission areas including: Logistics, Aids to Navigation, Marine Safety and
Pollution, Ice Reconnaisance, Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security, and Search and Rescue.
What exactly is the Auxiliary?
Created by Congress in 1939, the U.S.Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, non-military component of the U.S. Coast Guard. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Active Duty and Reserve members of Team Coast Guard, over 30,000 men and women Auxiliarists volunteer to advance boating safety and to provide direct operational and administrative support to Coast Guard missions and units. The Auxiliary can assist the Coast Guard in the performance of any function, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law. Auxiliarists teach boating safety, stand communication watches, perform harbor and pollution patrols, and assist in recruitment, among many other things. The Coast Guard Auxiliary, including Auxiliary aviation, is an integral part of the Coast Guard team.
So how do I get started in Auxiliary Aviation?
First one joins the Coast Guard Auxiliary and becomes a "Basically Qualified" (BQ) member. This involves getting some education about the Auxiliary, its structure and organization. As the Auxiliary predominantly deals with boating safety, some background knowledge about boating is a necessity. New Auxiliarists therefore take an Auxiliary boating safety course, another qualified course or self-study, and then pass an examination. Once Basically Qualified, they may undertake study in any of several Auxiliary programs including Auxiliary aviation (AUXAIR). Members involved in AUXAIR must earn their qualifications through advanced training. This training is designed to develop observers and pilots for Auxiliary service.
I’m just a private pilot. Can I be an Auxiliary pilot?
Of Course!! Persons who hold FAA Pilot Certificates may participate in AUXAIR either as Auxiliary pilots (depending on certificates and experience) or as Observers. The Auxiliary does not offer flight training; rather, it builds on what certificated pilots already have learned. Pilot applicants learn about search and rescue (SAR) techniques and patterns, Coast Guard communications, and Coast Guard flight safety rules and procedures. Pilot candidates must successfully pass a written open book test and take water survival training, as well as pass a SAR procedures check ride. Pilots with 200 hours or more logged as Pilot in Command (PIC) may be eligible for Auxiliary aviator designation as Copilot. Pilots with 500 or more hours as PIC may become First Pilots, and aviators with at least 1000 hours PIC and an Instrument Rating may be designated as Aircraft Commanders. . Pilots with fewer than 200 hours PIC may become Observers or qualify as Air Crew. Auxiliary flight crews have an important job to do and are held to high standards of training and safety.
I’m not a pilot. Can I help Auxiliary Aviation?
Non-Pilots may participate in AUXAIR as Observers or Air Crew. Observers are generally assigned to handle the communications between the aircraft and Coast Guard units, keep records in the air, and be the active searchers on SAR and other missions. Observers receive aviation orientation and training in observation techniques, communications, search techniques and patterns, and safety and survival skills. Observer candidates must successfully pass a written open book test and take water survival training. Experienced Observers and pilots with less than 200 hours PIC may be eligible to earn the Air Crew rating. The training for this rating rounds out the Observer's knowledge with more instruction on aviation and aircraft operations, Crew Resource Management, aviation communications and navigation procedures. The water survival training required of all Auxiliary aviators and Observers includes a 75 yard swim (with PFD on), training in life raft usage and emergency aircraft egress.
Can I use my plane in Auxiliary Aviation?
Pilots may offer their airplanes for use as Coast Guard Auxiliary operational facilities. Planes are inspected to verify that they meet requirements and that all paperwork is in order. A marine radio must be available for use in the plane and an external antenna must be installed. All aircraft used in AUXAIR operations must be approved facilities. The Coast Guard does not make any assurances that aircraft will be accepted as operational facilities nor does it suggest that all qualified Auxiliary members will be accepted into the aviation program as pilots. Fiscal, operational and geographical needs of the U.S. Coast Guard are the controlling factors in the AUXAIR program. Auxiliarists using their own aircraft on ordered missions may be reimbursed for fuel and maintenance expenses. They are also covered by Federal insurance and liability protection while in the performance of their official Auxiliary duties. Qualified Auxiliary pilots, while assigned to duty, are considered to be Coast Guard pilots, and Auxiliary aircraft, while assigned to authorized duty, are deemed to be Coast Guard aircraft.
Orders - Authorization for Patrols
Orders for facility movement, whether for vessel or aircraft movement, or radio facility activation and/or movement is one of two general kinds of orders that may be issued to Auxiliarists. Such orders are considered "assignment to duty." These orders may be either written or verbal, and may be reimbursable or non-reimbursable. Auxiliarists may not use any facility or special purpose facility for any Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary purpose or mission unless appropriate patrol orders have been issued and the facility has been properly offered and accepted for use. The Patrol Order Management System (POMS) is the mandatory method of issuing patrol orders to operational facilities. This system is an online web-based tool. An OIA must issue or authorize orders before an Auxiliarist conducts any patrol activity.
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