Balloon
Message on behalf of Maj. Gen. Regena Aye:
Dear CAP Members and Key Stakeholders,
I am writing to share some important news regarding our hot-air balloon and glider programs. At a recent meeting of Civil Air Patrol leaders including the command team, region commanders, chiefs, and directors, we took a comprehensive look at a few of our operations and their future strategic alignment. The review included an analysis of our balloon and glider programs in relation to strengths, annual member participation, cost to manage, how our programs fit within the competitive market, and projections regarding fleet sustainability and scalability for the future.
Currently, we manage a small fleet of hot-air balloons, which are no longer airworthy. Based upon the evaluation, CAP will neither authorize replacement equipment nor allow the addition of new hot-air balloons to CAP’s fleet. After careful consideration and thorough evaluation, we have decided to discontinue our hot-air balloon program. While this was a difficult decision, ending hot-air balloon operations will allow CAP to transfer our limited resources to other areas that have a greater impact. CAP will sunset the hot air balloon program and divest all CAP hot-air balloons beginning Dec. 1, 2024
I understand these decisions may disappoint those who have invested time, energy, and passion into these programs. Please know these were not easy decisions to make and were made with the best interests of our community and the program’s long-term success in mind. I am grateful for your dedication and contributions to the program. Your hard work and commitment have been invaluable, and I am hopeful that, together, we will emerge from this pause with a stronger plan and more resilient program.
In closing, it is important for you to know that all of CAP’s programs are going through this type of analysis to determine areas we can scale with consistency, quality, engagement, and market competitiveness to meet our mission impact for our communities, states, and nation. I look forward to sharing more about how we must take ownership of CAP’s future in the
coming months and including you in the journey.
v/r
Maj. Gen. Regena Aye
CAP National Commander