Maybe it’s the changing times or the changing leaderships, but the various entities in general aviation are working together more and more on mutual issues.
At this year’s Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) gathering in Tampa, Florida, heads of several major organizations will appear together on a panel to discuss issues facing general aviation and some actions that may be taken.
In addition to Craig Fuller, president and CEO of AOPA, others telling how they are attacking issues are: Tom Poberezny, chairman and president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); Jim Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA); Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); Peggy Chabrian, president of Women in Aviation (WIA); and Paula Derks, president of the Aircraft Electronic Association (AEA).
This kind of cooperation was not evident years ago when heads of different groups often would not even attend another’s meetings, much less appear on a program together.
Another example was the announcement that AOPA and NBAA are joining together to co-host Light Business Aircraft (LBA) Conferences at each other’s national gatherings next year.
The two organizations usually have their annual meetings on opposite sides of the country. By offering the LBA conferences at both, participants can attend one without undue travel.
Next year the first will be in October at NBAA’s convention in Atlanta. The second will be at AOPA’s Aviation Summit in Long Beach, Calif., in November.