Commandant
2100 Second St., S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-OCX
Phone: (202) 267-1001
COMDTINST 16798.2
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16798.2
Subj: AUXILIARY AIR CREW QUALIFICATION PROGRAM
Ref:
(a)
Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual, COMDTINST M16798.3 (Series)
(b)
Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Operations Training Text, COMDTINST M16798.5
(Series)
(c)
Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1 (Series)
1.
PURPOSE. This Instruction establishes the air crew qualification and promulgates the
qualification requirements, training syllabus, and instructor guide for the Auxiliary air crew
program.
2.
ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of activities, and commanding officers
of air stations shall follow the procedures contained in this instruction when preparing
Auxiliary members to qualify as air crew.
3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. As appropriate, the qualification program outlined in this
Instruction will be incorporated into the next change to references (a), (b), (c), and all other
appropriate manuals, instructions, forms, and publications.
4.
DISCUSSION. 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 Instruction 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 aviation mission.