AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 8

PRESIDENT 'S POSITION
Cherish your
freedom to fly
A defining moment that forever changed
everything
BY MARK BAKER / President and CEO
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, is a day that I will never forget. Watching
the morning news over a bowl of cereal, I was planning my
flight to Chicago for an afternoon meeting. Suddenly, everything
changed. The memories of the events from that day still
haunt many who watched the horrible aerial siege in real-time.
A memory now, but one painted so vividly, it's hard to believe
20 years have gone by.
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were a defining moment in history
that forever changed our society and culture. Patriotism
grew like we've never seen in modern times, and with it, a call for
heightened security. In the aftermath of the attacks, our nation's
first and foremost duty was to protect its citizens-ensuring that
our country and people were safe. And with that, ensuring our
skies were safe.
While parts of the world may not be much safer
after 20 years, we should be proud that we have
worked very hard to keep our skies safer than ever.
Within hours the world's busiest, most complex airspace
system went quiet. Watching the live flight map that morning
was incredibly unsettling.
In the days and weeks following 9/11, the future of aviation-
especially the future of general aviation-remained uncertain.
Even after commercial traffic was cleared to resume, GA
remained grounded. Top government officials considered undue
restrictions and limitations on GA, leaving a large population
of safe and conscientious pilots left to defend themselves from
government overreach. General aviation never had an argument
against safety and security; it was one against unnecessary
bureaucracy. There needed to be a proper balance.
In what can only be described as controlled chaos, AOPA
worked around the clock alongside the Department of Defense,
the FAA, and other security stakeholders to get GA off the
ground. Slowly and incrementally, we reclaimed our freedom
to fly (see " The Day Aviation Stood Still, " p. 66).
8
AOPA PILOT / September 2021
Reflecting on those dark days 20 years later, I am amazed at
what we were able to accomplish. It's made me more cognizant
and appreciative of the freedoms we still have. Our industry has
worked hard over the past two decades with a vested interest in
keeping the skies safe-not only from threats, but by being the
safest pilots we can be. Safety wears many hats.
Some of our most important security initiatives grew from a
post-9/11 world. In 2003, our AOPA Airport Watch program was
established by AOPA in coordination with the Transportation
Security Administration, which uses more than 600,000 pilots as
the eyes and ears for reporting suspicious activity at airports. The
program has been a significant model for educating security agencies
and government officials on the value of partnering with GA.
Unfortunately, increased security came with consequences
for GA. Fences, badges, and new restrictions at some airports
weren't exactly the welcoming environment pilots want for
newcomers or our neighboring communities (see " GA Under
Siege, " p. 68). But fighting to ensure a vibrant future for GA has
been part of AOPA's mission since its founding in 1939. That
didn't fall to the wayside.
To confront these challenges, we had to try harder to break
down barriers to entry and make aviation more accessible and
affordable. From introducing young students to our high school
aviation STEM curriculum and awarding a range of scholarships,
to helping pilots start flying clubs and bringing pilots back
through our Rusty Pilot program, we've made progress in fueling
a passion for GA. We know that we are stronger in numbers.
For the first time in decades, the number of pilots is increasing.
On this anniversary we will relive and remember the tales
of heroism, tragedy, and resilience that tested us as Americans.
As a nation, we will always have our guard up, and while parts
of the world may not be much safer 20 years later, we should
be proud that we have worked very hard to keep our skies safer
than ever. We are lucky to
live in a country where this
freedom is protected and
preserved. Let's always
make sure we cherish this
freedom to fly.
mark@aopa.org
AOPA President
MARK BAKER is a
commercial pilot with singleand
multiengine land and
seaplane ratings, and a
rotorcraft rating.
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021

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