AOPA chairman reports change of command
Wippler 'right leader to guide AOPA's next chapter'
By James N. Hauslein, chairman, AOPA Board of Trustees
As we look forward to the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in April and our annual meeting in May, I want to share some updates regarding AOPA’s operations and Board of Trustees leadership. These updates reflect AOPA’s relentless commitment to advocating for general aviation and to evolving our leadership for the future. Your board’s principal motivation is positioning AOPA to represent our membership effectively and ensure that the organization thrives for the next 85 years.
Operational updates
This year is off to a fast start on many fronts. In February, the AOPA team hosted a full array of activities at our AOPA Fly-In during the Buckeye Air Fair, just outside of Phoenix, for the more than 38,000 pilots and aviation enthusiasts who attended. These included a Pilot Town Hall, Foundation meetings, and our exclusive members-only AOPA Flightline Chalet.
Our Government Affairs team continues working with members of Congress on legislative responses to the tragic 2025 DCA midair collision that could affect GA operations. Proposed bills would mandate ADS-B In in airspace where ADS-B Out is already required. AOPA is advocating for the use of portable ADS-B In devices to reduce potential costs for GA pilots if a mandate becomes law. We are also supporting legislation to prohibit the use of ADS-B data for airport fee collection, and we are working with the FAA to improve the designated pilot examiner (DPE) program, medical certification reform, ATC modernization, and airport protection.
As we share this update with our members, the AOPA team is preparing for Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, from April 14 to 19. For those who attend, we look forward to engaging with you at our scheduled events and hospitality tent.
Governance update
As you know, AOPA has a long history of protecting GA and providing our members with essential benefits, such as Pilot Protection Services and the You Can Fly program. To safeguard this legacy, the board must continually innovate and integrate fresh perspectives. Achieving this goal requires periodic reviews of the entire organization, including our governance policies and procedures.
Your board began this review in 2024 and has recently received member feedback on AOPA governance. In response, we consulted experts in membership organizations, governance, and bylaw development. With their input and yours, the board is now in the advanced stages of recommending for member consideration several bylaw updates, including changes to the trustee nominating process, proxy requirements, board size, and the establishment of trustee qualifications and term limits. We will share more details ahead of the May 12 annual meeting and look forward to your feedback. This review is an important step in keeping AOPA strong, innovative, and positioned to serve our members and the broader GA community.
This evolution includes a commitment to renewing our leadership ranks. To that end, AOPA has added four independent trustees to our 11-person board during approximately the past two years. We continue to recruit and make way for fresh perspectives and the next generation of leadership. To support that effort, former Board Chair Bill Trimble and I have decided not to stand for reelection to the board at the May annual meeting. As pilots, aircraft owners, and long-term board members with decades of service between us, we are stepping down with mixed emotions, given our dedication and passion for AOPA’s mission. Still, we are confident that making way for the next generation of leaders is the right decision for AOPA.
I am pleased to announce that your board has elected Luke Wippler to assume the role of board chair. An AOPA member since 2005 and trustee since 2015, Luke is a private pilot with multiengine and seaplane ratings. He brings to this role an abiding passion for aviation and nearly 25 years of executive experience in the financial services industry. Luke combines strong business acumen with a deep passion for aviation and represents the next generation of AOPA leadership. The board strongly believes he is the right leader to guide AOPA’s next chapter.
I have total confidence in AOPA’s future. Under the astute leadership of Luke and the excellent AOPA team, our organization is well-positioned to thrive, innovate, and meet the numerous difficult challenges facing GA. It has been an honor to serve AOPA and all of you. Thank you for your support and membership in this great organization!
The Board of Trustees would be pleased to receive your feedback. Please address your comments to [email protected].
