AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2023 - 6

PRESIDENT 'S POSITION
The power
of partnerships
GA finds strength in a common purpose
BY MARK BAKER / President and CEO
AOPA Foundation Legacy Society member
WE ALL KNOW there is no tighter-knit community than ours in
general aviation. We share a great passion for flying, and we have
a fierce and common bond to promote and protect this freedom
to fly. Wherever we go, we are among friends. There's simply
nothing else like it anywhere.
I have said many times that I love nothing more than to be out
and about across this great nation meeting our members, sharing
stories of aviation, listening to their concerns, and giving our community
an important voice in our work.
But this connection and commitment to GA goes far beyond
individual aviators. In my years at AOPA, I have seen first-hand
that the strength of our community lies in the power of partnership
among like-minded associations and organizations, companies,
and other aviation groups, all with a collective focus on keeping
GA vibrant for years to come.
We may all have distinct members and customers, but GA is
more powerful when we stand together as partners.
Partnership is a key word for AOPA. Not only do we appreciate
our members who allow us to do what we do, but we treasure the
relationships we have with a variety of organizations-all under
the banner of promoting and protecting general aviation. Whether
it's our business partners, fellow general aviation organizations,
type clubs, local airport officials, or groups with a specific aviation
mission-we stand strong as one.
Great partnerships happen when people and organizations are
aligned in their values and vision.
I am especially grateful for our business partners at AOPA.
With the help of our partners-Aero-Space Reports, Aircraft
Spruce, AssuredPartners Aerospace, Avis, Boeing, Breitling,
California Aeronautical University, Enterprise, Hertz,
JSfirm.com, PilotWorkshops, Priceline, SiriusXM, and Sporty's-
we are moving toward our collective goal of making flying safer
and a bit more affordable. The support of our partners, advertisers,
and event exhibitors, many of whom provide valued member
benefits, allows our GA community to stay vibrant and accessible.
General aviation is also much stronger thanks to the sense of
community among the major GA associations, all of whom share
our strong commitment to the health of our industry. I salute
my partners at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association,
6
AOPA PILOT / February 2023
Experimental Aircraft Association, National Business Aviation
Association, National Air Transportation Association, Helicopter
Association International, American Association of Airport
Executives, and National Association of State Aviation Officials
for their ongoing commitment to keeping our passion thriving
and accessible.
This gratitude also extends to our colleagues at the Federal
Aviation Administration. We may not always see eye to eye on
important issues, but I know that our partners at the FAA have
the best interests of the GA community at heart. We're aligned on
more issues with the FAA than not.
Having flown many different types of aircraft, I have become a
member of-and friends with-type clubs that share a passion for a
wide variety of airplanes. There's an airplane for every type of flying,
and there's a type club for virtually every airplane. I invite you
to check these groups out and become a part of something special
within something special.
Protecting your freedom to fly all comes down to the vibrancy
of our more than 5,500 public-use airports across the country.
Airport executives-and local officials who support our airport-
are great partners in this mission to safeguard GA. We're only as
strong as the health of our local airports, and I thank everyone on
the ground for allowing us to explore so many special places by air.
And speaking of local advocacy, I also can't think of better
partners in this passion than our own Airport Support Network
volunteers. Now well north of 2,000 members, our ASN volunteers
serve as our eyes and ears on the ground, and they are often our
early-warning system for emerging issues at GA airports across
the country. An adjunct to the work that our regional managers
do daily, the commitment of our ASN volunteer network is invaluable
in helping us protect your freedom to fly.
AOPA plays a major role in promoting this wonderful passion
we call flying, but we can't do it alone. Our partnership with
hundreds, if not thousands, of other
constituents makes our job of protecting
your freedom to fly that
much easier.
Blue skies to all!
mark@aopa.org
AOPA President MARK
BAKER is a commercial
pilot with single- and
multiengine land and
seaplane ratings and a
rotorcraft rating.
http://www.JSfirm.com
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2023

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