In its annual list of Top Lobbyists in 2025, The Hill included Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Advocacy Jim Coon and Paul Feldman, Vice President of Government Affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
AOPA
AOPA Asks Feds For Help Retrieving GA Airplane Seized By Tribe
The aircraft, a Stinson 108, was confiscated by the Red Lake Nation, which “has refused to permit its retrieval by the owner,” citing a 1978 tribal resolution that claims jurisdiction over airspace up to 20,000 feet, and bans overflights of “any airplanes.”
GA accidents down, flight hours up
Key takeaways from the latest report from the Air Safety Institute show that in 2023 there were 1,097 general aviation accidents in the United States, including 186 that were fatal. The overall accident rate fell to 3.86 per 100,000 flight hours, down from 4.3 in 2022, and the fatal accident rate declined to 0.65 from 0.68 the year before.
GA advocates concerned about GA ban at major airports
“Our National Airspace System has always thrived on fair and equitable access. Banning general aviation operations — even at a small number of airports — sets a horrible precedent.”
New documentary showcases GA in South Africa
The 13-minute documentary explores how general aviation connects people and communities, whether on rural farms where airplanes provide a lifeline or at Sling Aircraft in Johannesburg, which produces aircraft that are flown worldwide, according to AOPA officials.
New Flight Instructor Refresher Course incorporates MOSAIC changes
“Since the MOSAIC rule was announced in July, AOPA has received questions about it from flight instructors and pilots every day. In our course, we give instructors the information they need to know about this new rule — including certificate requirements, new endorsements they can earn, and the aircraft they will now be able to fly as these changes take effect on Oct. 22.”
Applications open for AOPA scholarships
The application period that opened Oct. 3 closes Dec. 31, with notifications to recipients beginning in February. The next scholarship application period runs from April to June, with notifications beginning in August.
A blip is a blip
When talking about paying for access to airports and ATC, it’s important to compare apples to apples.
New AOPA video examines crash that killed one of its own
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new video examining an accident in Lake Placid, New York, on Oct. 1, 2023, that took the lives of former NFL player Russ Francis and AOPA’s own Richard McSpadden.