Flight Training - June 2023 - 30

PREFLIGHT MEMBERSHIP
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER
ADDRESS CHANGE?
Send your new address and AOPA
membership number to AOPA:
aopa.org/apps/myaopamembership
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, Maryland 21701-4798
TOLL-FREE PILOT
INFORMATION CENTER
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672)
pilotassist@aopa.org
pic.aopa.org
AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE
800-638-3101
airsafetyinstitute.org
AOPA AIRCRAFT FINANCING
800-627-5263
aopafinance.org
GETTING THE LEAD OUT
WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU-AND WHAT AOPA IS DOING TO HELP
ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES FACING
the general aviation industry today is the
need to get the lead out of aviation fuel.
The GA industry is working to transition
to an unleaded avgas that can replace
100LL for all aircraft in the piston GA
fleet. The hope is that this transition can
be done effectively and efficiently, with no
negative impact on safety.
Most aircraft in the
current general aviation fleet
were designed to operate with
fuel formulated to prevent
engine detonation that can
result in a sudden engine
failure. For decades, a leadbased
additive has been the
solution. Finding a suitable
substitute that doesn't contain
lead has been challenging.
Several promising solutions
are currently being evaluated;
one has earned approval for
almost all piston aircraft and
is working to bring the fuel to
market. AOPA is advocating
for solutions that work for all
those invested, and has built
a coalition of stakeholders
to engage in practical and
forward-thinking measures
toward this future. The effort
30
FLIGHT TRAINING JUNE 2023
DID YOU KNOW?
General aviation is a
$247 billion industry
that accounts for more
than 1.2 million jobs
in the United States.
Currently, there are
more than 200,000
aircraft in the GA fleet,
compared to fewer
than 6,000 among the
airlines. This country
is served by more
than 5,000 public-use
airports, supporting a
tremendous number
of jobs, compared to
fewer than 500 airports
served by the airlines.
In addition, most GA
aircraft and airports are
important staging sites
for emergency rescue
and disaster relief.
to rid all avgas of lead dates back decades.
It's a complex matter involving issues of
safety, performance, practicality, economics,
and logistics, and many public
and private constituents have a hand in
this transition. The aviation industry has
committed to a smart and safe transition
to an unleaded aviation fuel by 2030, but
some states and local governments have
recently sought to ban
100LL before a suitable
alternative is available.
This is the most
pressing issue facing GA
today, because leaded
fuels threaten our freedom
to fly and threaten the economic
impact of general
aviation and the important
humanitarian services GA
provides. Transitioning to
an unleaded high-octane
fuel that meets the needs
of the entire fleet is complex;
AOPA supports the
smart and safe transition
to unleaded fuel for all
aircraft. Our dedicated
webpage can answer
your questions about this
important issue.
aopa.org/100UL
AOPA PERSONAL INSURANCE
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672)
aopa.org/membership/personal
AOPA CREDIT CARD PROGRAM
Top off your airplane and wallet
with the best card for pilots.
877-787-3171
aopa.org/creditcard
AOPA FOUNDATION
800-955-9115
aopafoundation.org
AOPA PILOT PROTECTION SERVICES
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672)
aopa.org/pps
AOPA TRAVEL DISCOUNTS
aopa.org/cars
aopa.org/hotels
AOPA PILOT INFORMATION
CENTER HOURS
Do you have questions or need
information about an aviation topic?
Access the team of aviation experts in
our Pilot Information Center during our
convenient weekday hours. Call
800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Monday
through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until
6 p.m. Eastern time, with your
questions and our staff will be
happy to assist you.
Visit the website (aopa.org/
membership) to learn more about the
benefits of AOPA membership.
MIKE FIZER

http://www.aopa.org/apps/myaopamembership http://pic.aopa.org http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopafinance.org http://www.aopa.org/membership/personal http://www.aopa.org/creditcard http://www.aopafoundation.org http://www.aopa.org/pps http://www.aopa.org/cars http://www.aopa.org/hotels http://www.aopa.org/membership http://www.aopa.org/membership http://www.aopa.org/100UL

Flight Training - June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - June 2023