Two of GA’s top advocacy groups, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have contributed more than $540,000 to support a ballot measure in Santa Monica, Calif.,, that would halt efforts to shut down the city’s airport (SMO). According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the campaign measure has raised about $824,000 as of Oct. 22, mostly from aviation-related interests, aircraft owners, businesses and pilots, including actor Harrison Ford, who stores his aircraft at the airport and donated $25,887.
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In actuality, it is not single entities such as AOPA and NBAA that are financially investing in this effort to promote the longevity of Santa Monica Airport. It is general aviation individuals that are investing in this collective effort through our national representatives, AOPA and NBAA.
Whether its a national group collectively speaking on behalf of airplanes, cars, boats, motorcycles, etc. owners, it is a united voice for all these individuals.
So, it is my personal annual dues, or donations to such groups, that I, me, Mitch Latting, am spending to promote and protect Santa Monica Airport and general aviation nationally.
Excellent point Mitch…. Local, statewide and national support is required if we are going to save not only SMO, but many other airports nationwide…