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provide the required see -and -avoid function until the Predators' own see -and -avoid capability is tested and proven. Another drone -related mission involves equipping Cessna 182s with the sensors Predators and Reapers use. That allows the Cessnas to function as surrogates for the drones in training the ground crews that operate them. Besides supporting the Air Force, the CAP responds to local communities' needs by conducting disaster -relief and search -and -rescue operations. With more than 1,400 locations, the CAP responds more nimbly after hurricanes, fires and other disasters than would otherwise be possible, providing time -sensitive airborne imagery to FEMA for its relief efforts. Plus, along with what the CAP calls "cellphone forensics," the fleet makes more than 100 search -and -rescue saves per year. It was at the National Conference that I first began to realize the extent to which CAP also works with cadets. They use the fleet to inspire young lives by following up classroom and textbook learning with more than 30,000 orientation flights for both CAP and ROTC cadets. Besides the weekly learning sessions, the cadets also benefit from numerous field trips and annual weeklong encampments. Plus, the cadets receive training in many subjects such as computer technology and cyber defense that gives them a great head start in their future learning. As a result, CAP cadets make up about 10 percent of the Air Force Academy's classes. The CAP also uses its aviation expertise to reach out to local communities with aerospace -education curricula for K-12 classrooms to generate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. This program benefits about 300,000 students a year nationwide. All of this takes people. The Civil Air Patrol has very few paid employees. But as I have learned more about the CAP, what has impressed me the most is the number and quality of volunteers: There are some 60,000 who are deeply committed to making these programs work. Many have enthusiastically donated their time and effort to the CAP for decades. I am not sure why I was asked to be on the Board of Governors. I like to think that maybe they were hoping my passion for flying and background in general aviation education and small business might provide some kind of special perspective. In the meantime, I am learning a lot, and very much looking forward to being involved with a community that uses aviation in so many ways for the common good. / Ll7-//3