It’s in the record books: The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s sixth and last new regional fly-in — seven if you count the heavily-attended Homecoming to AOPA HQ in Frederick, Md. How did it go, this change from one big annual convention? What was gained and what was lost? The one-day AOPA fly-ins finished strong […]
AOPA
AOPA regional fly-ins a resounding success
By GUY R. MAHER The stats are in and the 2014 series of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) regional fly-ins were a resounding success. One of the first major moves of new AOPA President Mark Baker was to discontinue the annual AOPA Aviation Summit [the last one was held in 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas] […]
Anti-airport group victorious in Santa Monica
On Nov. 4, a ballot initiative to give the Santa Monica City Council more control over operations at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO) in Southern California was approved by voters, signaling — for some — a death knell for the embattled airport. Measure LC allows the City Council to manage the airport as it sees […]
GA challenges benefits of ADS-B
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An FAA-sponsored “call to action” summit to encourage the aviation industry to equip to meet the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) brought general aviation advocates out in force, with one message: The costs outweigh the benefits for GA pilots. Sean Elliott, the Experimental Aircraft Association […]
Expect third class medical reform in 2015
At the last Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) regional fly-in of the year, pilots clamored to sign a giant petition calling for reform of the third class medical. It’s a scene that’s been played out at all the AOPA events throughout the year, association officials say, reporting that more than 10,000 signatures have been […]
AOPA eBooks now available at University Aviation Press
New additions to the University Aviation Press library include four titles from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). These eBooks are in ePub format and may be read on computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The Best of Never Again, Volume 1: The education, training, and entertainment from these pages is crafted by hapless AOPA members […]
GA supporters retain seats in Tueday’s election
Key general aviation supporters retained their seats in both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s election, while two incoming elected officials are members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, officials with AOPA report. But retirements and election losses will leave the General Aviation Caucuses in both the House and Senate with some rebuilding to do […]
SMO vote disappointing to GA advocates
A city sponsored ballot initiative — Measure LC — has passed in Santa Monica, Calif., leaving the future of Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in the hands of the City Council. The measure passed with 59% of voters saying “yes” with 90% of precincts reporting Tuesday. At the same time, voters rejected a separate measure — […]
GA advocacy groups respond to USA Today article
In response to USA Today’s latest piece about fires in general aviation aircraft, two of GA’s most powerful advocacy groups, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association released statements blasting what they call the “sensationalistic article.” This from GAMA’s President Pete Bunce: “Once again, USA Today’s Thomas Frank has not […]