AURORA, Ore. -- Oregon Civil Air Patrol planes were concentrating their search in the area around Tillamook for a 65-year-old pilot missing since he flew from the Aurora Airport last Saturday. CAP received a tip that a radar blip had been spotted in the area.

Courtland Mumford

Courtland "Court" Mumford's family said he is a retired airline pilot with more than 27,000 flight hours. Mumford took his newly purchased Piper Cub plane to make local practice flights to the airport -- but then failed to return.

Mumford is described as very fit. Family members are holding out hope that he'll be found safe.

"If anybody's going to make it, Courtland will make it," said family friend Marty Brantley.

Mumford's plane has a 400 mile range, and did not have a locator beacon on board. Mumford reportedly ordered the plane without the beacon because the veteran pilot planned to install an upgraded version of the beacon himself.

Search operations have been ongoing since Sunday by the CAP. Nine CAP aircraft from Oregon and Washington have since been searching.

Additional search craft from the Washington Civil Air Patrol are expected to join the search this weekend.