Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and CEO Craig Fuller told a gathering of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., that the aviation industry is depending on the success of Light-Sport Aviation to bring new people into aviation and keep current pilots from dropping out.
“My first epiphany [about the importance of the sport pilot community] came in 2008 at Oshkosh,” said Fuller. “I was in my transition period, and [AOPA Foundation President] Bruce Landsberg and I took off for about two or three hours and we spent a lot of time in the light-sport aircraft area, and it was very apparent to me that there was a lot of excitement there.
“The second epiphany was when I went to Friedrichshafen, Germany, last year, to AERO. When you look at all the problems they face [in Europe], there are still thousands and thousands of people that are passionate about aviation. So what do they do? Some of them turn to soaring, but many of them turn to light-sport aircraft.”
Fuller said after his visit to AERO, he is convinced not only that sport aviation will grow, but that it must grow. A video of Fuller’s complete remarks to LAMA are available on AOPA Online.
You’re all kidding yourselves if you think AOPA is going to do anything that will support the growth and expansion of LSA. AOPA is just a voice box trying to rally more pilots to increase their membership numbers so that they can justify and finance their existence, not to mention the cushy salaries and unspecified compensation their top management receives annually. AOPA is so out of touch with the realities of aviation.
OK Mr. Fuller, now that you recognize the value of LSA to the future of GA, when is AOPA going to support the fueling infrastructure that 99% of the LSAs need on our airports, which is premium unleaded mogas? Half of the economic benefit for LSA is fuel. They are all designed to run on mogas. When run on 100 LL, not only is the fuel more expensive but the recurring maintenance costs double and we add more lead to the environment. I will believe that AOPA understands the value of LSA when they insure that mogas is being discussed in the General Aviation Avgas Coalition otherwise this is just more nonsensical blather by an aviation alphabet figurehead that doesn’t know what he is talking about.
It was a great pleasure having Craig at Sebring this week!! His attention to and enthusiasm for LSA and Sport Pilot was obvious, and his effort to boost this segment of aviation added a lot to our show. The morning following his presentation we were able to host him on a tour of the event. Though early in the morning, he was able to meet and greet quite a number of exhibitors and early bird attendees. We’re glad to have the attention of the leader of this great organization!!
Mr.Fuller has hit the mark – for the “recreational” segmet of GA; this will create an increase in student starts due to the lower enty cost and training completion time. Flght schools need to “get on the band wagon” and use the LSA as a marketing tool to intice those new to aviation; and it may even help them stay in business!