AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 104

285
FLY WITH AOPA
GOVERNMENT AFFA IRS /
We are
your team
Working for general aviation
in DC, your state, your world
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER
THE AOPA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM, with
offices in Frederick, Maryland, and
Washington, D.C., and regional representation
throughout the states, exists to protect,
defend, and promote the incredible privilege
that we call general aviation. AOPA's government
affairs staff protects many of the flying
freedoms you enjoy. Thanks to the efforts of
this team, AOPA is repeatedly named a top50
lobbying trade association by D.C.-based
publication The Hill. This is significant as
there are thousands of trade associations
in Washington, and it is a testament to the
outstanding and experienced team in the
nation's capital. AOPA's government affairs
team ensures that GA is represented and
involved at the federal, state, and local levels.
Top-of-mind initiatives include:
* Ramp and pricing transparency at airports
and FBOs.
* Real-time special-use airspace into the
cockpit.
* Support of the National Center for
Advancement of Aviation.
* Improved special issuance medical
certification.
* Modernization of Special Airworthiness
Certificates (MOSIAC).
* Non-TSOed avionics.
These initiatives are a fraction of what your
association's government affairs team does each
day. AOPA is an effective leader in promoting
and protecting general aviation, fueled by support
from you, our members, who all share the
passion of flight. julie.walker@aopa.org
aopa.org/advocacy
The number of House and Senate members of
the Congressional GA Caucus.
STATE ADVOCACY
Through its network of
seven regional managers, and a
corps of 2,500 Airport Support
Network volunteers, AOPA
advocates for its members at the
state and local level to:
* Promote, protect, and defend
America's community airports.
* Maintain sufficient state and
local funding for GA airports
and infrastructure.
* Prevent excess state taxation
on flying.
* Protect general aviation from
unnecessary state and local
regulation.
YOUR REGIONAL MANAGERS
Alaska
Tom.George@aopa.org
Central Southwest
Tom.Chandler@aopa.org
Eastern
Sean.Collins@aopa.org
Great Lakes
Kyle.Lewis@aopa.org
Northwest Mountain
Josh.Pruzek@aopa.org
Southern
Steve.Hedges@aopa.org
Western Pacific
Melissa.McCaffrey@aopa.org
aopa.org/advocacy/
state-advocacy
Meet Jim Coon, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs /
As senior vice president of government affairs, Jim Coon is responsible for the
implementation of AOPA's political, legislative, and regulatory initiatives before Congress,
federal agencies, and state legislatures. He has more than three decades of experience
working with Congress and the aviation industry and joined AOPA in 2014. Coon held the role
of staff director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and majority
staff director for the House aviation subcommittee. He has also served in leadership roles
for the National Air Transportation Association, The Boeing Company, and the Air Transport
Association (now A4A). He is the secretary general of the International Council of Aircraft
Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA).
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AOPA PILOT / September 2021
DID YOU KNOW?

http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy http://www.aopa.org/advocacy

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - September 2021

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