Flight Training - March 2013 - 4

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

By Craig Fuller

ADVOCACY ONLINE

UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GA

I

f you’re new to flying, you’ve probably already figured out how
much you enjoy taking to the skies. I just can’t think of an
experience that’s more freeing than climbing above the traffic
and heading where you wish. But as a student or new pilot, you
may not yet have given much thought to how to preserve that freedom.

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is general aviation's advocate and the largest, most influential
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That’s often the case. In the early days of
our flying experience, many of us become
absorbed in all there is to learn, do, and
understand. But at some point, we look up
from our charts and discover that general
aviation is much bigger than ourselves—
and it needs our help to stay that way.
Fortunately, pilots are an active, engaged
group who want to see GA thrive. That’s
why more than 2,400 of your fellow pilots
have become AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers. They act as our eyes and
ears at airports nationwide, working with
local leaders to keep their airports strong
and letting us know when those airports
may be in trouble.
The Airport Support Network is just
one way we advocate for GA on a local
level. But we’re also busy in state governments nationwide. We have seven
full-time regional managers based across
the country. They work with the experts at
AOPA headquarters to promote legislation
that supports GA and oppose measures
that could have a negative impact on our
freedom to fly.
You may think these issues have little or
nothing to do with you, especially if you’re
lucky enough to be based at an airport
that is thriving. But year after year, states
nationwide propose new or higher taxes
on GA. Think what paying higher taxes
and fees could mean to your ability to fly.
Thanks in large part to the vigilance and
hard work of our advocates at the state
level, none of these proposed taxes have
come to pass in recent years.
You can find out who represents your
region and learn about activity in your
area by visiting the website (www.aopa.
org/advocacy/airports). Here you’ll find
news and information about the advocacy

4/

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issues AOPA is working on. You’ll also see
a map of the United States. Click on your
region to learn about the regional manager
for your part of the country and stay up to
date by following them on Twitter.
Of course, AOPA is also hard at work
advocating for GA at the federal level.
Whether we’re working with members
of Congress, sharing our input with the
FAA, or hashing out regulatory issues, our
legislative affairs team is busy. Our Washington, D.C., office is located just a few
blocks from the Capitol to give the staff
easy access to the decision makers who
affect our future. The work to grow the GA
caucuses in the House and Senate is one
reason these groups have become among
the largest on Capitol Hill—and that matters when it comes to making big decisions
about funding the FAA or modernizing
our air traffic system.
I know that some of this may seem a
little arcane when you’re trying to memorize V speeds or master cross-country
flight planning. But it is important and
it does affect you. The time may come
when we ask you to get directly involved,
contacting your senator or representative
in Congress.
I encourage you to spend a little time
with our advocacy team online (www.
aopa.org/advocacy) to learn more about
the challenges and opportunities facing
general aviation—and how all of us can
get engaged to keep GA strong. Knowledge is power, and understanding what’s
happening in GA is an important part of
becoming a full-fledged member of the
flying community.

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and other aviation questions, and join or renew by
telephone, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time,
Monday through Friday | 800-USA-AOPA
(872-2672)
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AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE
ONLINE SAFETY CENTER
Dedicated to providing general aviation pilot
education and safety programs online.
Via the Internet | www.airsafetyinstitute.org
Call | 800-638-3101
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AOPA Pilot Protection Services Program |
866-213-8777
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MEMBER SERVICES
To join or renew, or for information about AOPA
membership, email inforequest@aopa.org or
Visit the website | www.aopa.org/join
NEW ADDRESS?
Send your new address and membership number to

Email AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa.

AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701

org.

Fax | 301-695-2375
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Flight Training - March 2013

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