Meet the pilot who dreamed it, then lived it.

MEET YOUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER.

Hear Major Taylor "FEMA" Hiester at the 2026 Civil Air Patrol National Conference!

Maj. Taylor "FEMA" Hiester

At nine, Maj. Taylor "FEMA" Hiester was already in the cockpit. By 16, he had his pilot's license. The aircraft he dreamed of as a kid, the F-16, is the one he flies today.

He did it as one of our own. A former CAP cadet with the Reading Composite Squadron 811 of the Pennsylvania Wing, Maj. Hiester went on to lead the Wing CAC, serve as Cadet Commander of the PA Wing Cadet Training Schools, and staff the Northeast Region Cadet Leadership School. Today, he commands and pilots the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, representing the United States at air shows worldwide.

We're proud to announce that Maj. Hiester will join us as one of two Keynote Speakers at the 2026 Civil Air Patrol National Conference.

Click here for more details about the 2026 National Conference

A story worth sharing

Maj. Hiester didn't just dream of flying fighters; he built his life around making it happen. His story is one of early commitment, hard work, and an unwavering focus on the goal. That message resonates deeply within CAP, where we spend every day trying to instill exactly that kind of dedication in the next generation of leaders.

The principles that carried him from a CAP squadron in Pennsylvania to the cockpit of an F-16 aren't unique to aviation. Trust your team, execute under pressure, make decisions with real consequences, and own the outcome. The environments may look different, but the principles are the same.

Maj. Hiester's story will stay with you long after you leave Kansas City.

Want a closer look before you get there?

Go inside the USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team, and check out this short film following Maj. Hiester and his crew as they travel the country showcasing the power and precision of the F-16. And if you want to see what pulling 9Gs actually looks like, watch this video.

Click here to register for the National Conference

Join us in Kansas City

The 2026 National Conference takes place August 28-29 at the Loews Kansas City Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.

Registration details

Cost: $259 (includes sessions, keynotes, breakfast, and lunch)
Deadline to register: July 31

Ready to secure your spot? Registration is open now. Session details and the full schedule will be available soon. Visit the conference page for the latest updates.

Sponsor

Civil Air Patrol proudly recognizes Ewing Engineered Solutions as a valued sponsor. For over 40 years, Ewing has set the standard for communications solutions, specializing in Motorola systems for the federal government. Their commitment to excellence and service mirrors the values CAP members bring to the mission every day. Be sure to stop by their booth and connect with their team in Kansas City.

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