Good things
The needles are in the green
I’m an optimist. I start every day energized and excited for what’s to come. There are so many things to do and places to go, and I see the cup more than half full. So, I find entering the season of thankfulness and gratitude this year even more uplifting. There is much to be thankful for, especially in our industry. General aviation is trending upwards, and that’s a good thing.
Do I see you scoffing at my statement? OK, I’m always up for a challenge. Here’s my list of good things that are happening right now in GA. See if you agree.
The number of student pilots who are engaged in flight training continues to grow. This number is higher than it’s been in decades. FAA statistics show continuous student pilot growth every year since 2016. Between 2016 and 2022 there was a 55 percent increase in annual new student pilot certificates issued. Wouldn’t you love to be a new pilot again, just starting out in aviation?
We are on track to have one of, if not the, safest year ever in GA. This is measured by the number of fatal accidents in 100,000 hours flown. Of course, one fatal accident is one too many, but I believe—no, I know—that it is the work of the AOPA Air Safety Institute through its accident analysis and data-driven education and outreach that has moved the needle here. A good pilot is always learning, right?
We realized an important win recently—through a collaborative industry effort many senior pilots are now able to secure a liability-only aircraft insurance policy affording them the freedom to fly without many of the restrictions being imposed by some underwriters. We are continuing to have discussions with aviation insurance brokers about additional ways to bring aircraft insurance premium relief for all pilots. Experienced, active aviators deserve the respect they have earned.
BasicMed continues to be an amazing resource for pilots who want a simpler path to medical qualification. This reform was years in the making and all credit goes to your association’s advocacy work. Since its inception in 2017, 80,000 pilots have qualified to fly under BasicMed: thousands of pilots who don’t have to spend thousands of dollars and wait months to renew a special issuance medical for a condition that hasn’t changed; thousands of pilots who won’t have to stop flying because they have BasicMed; and thousands of pilots who can continue doing what they love. Flying safely without onerous restrictions should apply to all active and engaged pilots. That’s why we’re excited about the regulatory changes that will allow designated pilot examiners who use BasicMed to give checkrides and let any BasicMed pilot fly bigger, faster airplanes. The following countries and territories authorize BasicMed privileges: United States, Mexico, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. And we continue to advocate for its adoption in other countries, including Canada.
We introduced the You Can Fly AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum in 2017. In seven short years, it has experienced quick and significant growth. More than 500 programs serving more than 1,000 schools in 48 states signed up to use the program this year. And we anticipate those programs will serve at least 25,000 students during the course of this school year, bringing the total number of students served to more than 95,000. We are exposing our country’s youth to aviation early and it’s paying off.
Now I said in the beginning I am an optimistt, but I am also a realist. I recognize we have challenges ahead. First is, of course, the unleaded fuel question. I’m very proud to say we have been addressing this head on by conducting demonstration flights with a donated Beech Baron that Editor at Large Dave Hirschman has been flying with two types of fuel throughout the year. Thanks, Dave. I know you love to fly, but we really put you through your paces and you probably don’t have any desire to fly in Oklahoma for a while (see “What We’ve Learned,” p. 82). We plan to demonstrate other unleaded fuels as they become available. We can’t afford to wait for 100LL to disappear—this is our chance to burn and learn so we’re ready for an unleaded future.
We also have our eyes on the power of MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) reforms that promise major benefits to GA, including electric propulsion, and we continue to advocate for transparency across the board at airports and FBOs. But AOPA is up to the challenge, and I’m grateful to have spent the past 11 years leading the charge.
Blue skies!
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