AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022 - 8

PRESIDENT 'S POSITION
It's the people
Thank you to everyone who makes
our community so special
BY MARK BAKER / President and CEO
AOPA Foundation Legacy Society member
WHAT A FANTASTIC year it has been for our community. We're
enjoying this passion for flying in numbers we haven't seen for
some time. We're staying safer than ever, we've been seeing
thousands of our members at fantastic events across the country,
and we are making real progress on our pledge to make general
aviation totally lead-free.
I'll say this has been a banner year for our community, and one
that continually reminds me to be thankful for this wonderful
pursuit of ours. I'm truly thankful, not only for the freedom
to fly and all the amazing places we get to see, but especially
to the men and women who allow us take flight like nowhere
else in the world.
While these pages are filled every month with tales of pilots
doing amazing things, new airplanes and innovations coming
to market every day, and destinations that lure us to places near
and far, we know that it's the people who make general aviation
great. These are the people who keep us moving. You may
not see them every day, but they play such an important role in
keeping GA vibrant and healthy.
Whether it's the line personnel at your local FBO filling
your tanks, or the mechanic who's repairing a part and making
sure you're good to go for your next destination; the men and
women building the next great airframes, engines, and avionics;
the staff at the FAA, National Weather Service, flight service,
and other important entities making sure your airspace and
awareness are as protected as can be; or the U.S. military, which
whether through the air, on the ground, or on the sea, protects
all of our freedoms every day.
If I wanted to thank everyone who enables me to fly to all
corners of this country, it would fill these pages, and probably a
couple of issues. I hope you know who you are.
With that said, and in this season of giving thanks, let me
call out a few folks and businesses that continue to help me pursue
this passion-people who are truly emblematic of the entire
GA community.
The manager of New Richmond Regional Airport in New
Richmond, Wisconsin (RNH), Mike Demulling is also the chief
pilot of the East Metro Jet Center. Not only is Mike a fantastic
pilot, you can also see him pumping gas, teaching people how
8
AOPA PILOT / November 2022
to fly, and serving as a volunteer pilot for the Saint Croix County
Sheriff's Department. Mike sets a great example for all of us.
When I think about wonderful places to fly, Montana is up
there with the best of them. When in Billings, I can always count
on Aerotronics Inc. at Billings Logan International (BIL) to keep
my aircraft in top-notch shape. Aerotronics is a full-service avionics
company, and you may remember the folks there from
outfitting our recent AOPA Sweepstakes Super Cub with a cabin
full of the latest technology. We still talk about that.
Speaking of Montana, I can always count on my friends Roger
and Darin Meggers at Baker Air Service (no relation!) in Baker,
Montana. You know I love my Piper Super Cub, and I rely on
Roger and Darin to keep it in the best shape possible. I detailed
in these pages last year how Roger and Darin took apart my reacquired
185 and saw some things that needed immediate attention
and saved me from some real potential headaches. That's what
Baker is all about.
In my adopted home of Driggs, Idaho, manager Peter Kline
and his team at Teton Aviation Center are a welcome sight when
I land and pull into Driggs-Reid Airport (DIJ). Peter's team provides
amazing service, and is a valuable asset to the region.
And, in my home state of Minnesota, Bruce Hanson and his
team at Surfside Seaplane Base (MN24) in Lino Lakes ensure
that I am ready to pursue my passion for flying on floats. The second-largest
seaplane base in the United States, Surfside recently
celebrated its 50th birthday and I wish them another fantastic
half-century ahead.
Of course, this list of thanks would not be complete without
a salute to my amazing team at AOPA. Through tireless devotion
and commitment to members and general aviation, the
team makes my job protecting your freedom to fly much easier. I
couldn't do any of this without every single one of them.
In this spirit of giving thanks, make sure to think about the men
and women behind the scenes working hard so that we can continually
enjoy the freedom to
fly. May your holiday season
be bright, cheerful, and full
of blue skies!
mark@aopa.org
AOPA President MARK
BAKER has been flying for
more than 40 years, using
airplanes for fun, commuting,
and business.
AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022

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