The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) announced it will discontinue its long-running national glider program following an eight-month review by its Glider Program Working Group. CAP paused the program late last year. The move comes after what officials described as a “comprehensive, data-driven analysis” that found the program was no longer sustainable.

Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, CAP’s national commander, said in a recent letter to members that while the decision was difficult, it was made “after careful review and thoughtful deliberation” with CAP’s Board of Governors.

Fleet Age and Maintenance Cited

The Civil Air Patrol has 41 gliders with an average age of 33 years. CAP’s written executive summary regarding the decision indicated that maintenance and part scarcity factored into the decision. The rep

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