Working together

As the Southern Regional Manager for AOPA, I attended the town hall because North Perry is one of the busiest general aviation reliever airports in the country, logging over 317,000 operations last year. Many AOPA members in the area have voiced concerns about recent community opposition, and I also wanted to support the airport and our excellent Airport Support Network volunteers at North Perry and nearby fields (special thanks to Anthony R. and Stephen M.).

The citizens’ frustration stemmed from a recent accident in which a Cessna Skymaster crashed into a residential area just half a mile from the runway. Thankfully, nobody on the ground was hurt, and the injuries of the pilot and passengers were minor. But for some residents, this was not an isolated event—by some stated counts, North Perry has seen more than 35 “accidents” over the years. However, those counts do not distinguish between accidents or incidents, major or minor, or whether they took place on or off the airport. To put these numbers, whatever they are, into proper perspective, one must take into account the fact that the airport is the third busiest airport in Florida and sixth busiest nonprimary airport in the country. By comparison, there are about 35 motor vehicle accidents on our nation’s roads every two to three minutes.

Ahead of the town hall, AOPA sent a letter to County Commissioner Alexandra Davis, who sponsored the event. It highlighted the airport’s role as an economic engine, emphasized AOPA’s commitment to safety, offered safety statistics, and clarified some citizen misconceptions about “amateur-built” and “experimental” aircraft. It also offered the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s support for local pilot safety seminars. We look forward to her response.

While the official cause of the Cessna’s crash is still under investigation, the technical details matter little to the community. What resonates with citizens is how they feel, even if those feelings are not supported by data. Broward County, the airport sponsor, made a visible effort to educate the public with information boards and a detailed presentation by Mark Gale, director of aviation. His remarks outlined the responsibilities of airport sponsors, the FAA, pilots, and mechanics. But it was clear that both the mayor and some citizens were looking for accountability—and they wanted the county to do something about flight operations.

This dynamic is challenging. Airspace is federally controlled; pilot and mechanic certifications are federally regulated. Airport sponsors manage infrastructure, leases, and land use, but not flight operations. Ultimately, pilots and mechanics are responsible for compliance with federal aviation regulations, FAA guidance, and aircraft manuals, and the vast majority do so diligently.

Gale closed by noting upcoming efforts, including updating the airport safety study, launching an environmental study on lead (with the scope of testing to be determined), and even exploring whether North Perry should transition from a federal contract tower to an FAA-operated tower. That last point was surprising, as there is no evidence that federal contract towers are inherently less safe than FAA-operated towers.

The issue of lead-containing fuels adds another layer of difficulty. A study that cannot definitively pinpoint lead’s source risks raising expectations without delivering meaningful answers. Lead emissions from aircraft have fallen more than 93 percent since the 1970s. AOPA believes the right path is to stay committed to an unleaded fuel solution in the near future—and we will get there. We’ve already tested General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s unleaded fuel for hundreds of hours. As diesel, turbine, and electric alternatives gain traction, consumption of avgas will continue to decline. We all want to see low-lead fuel reach zero, but it must happen without compromising safety for pilots or the public.

Pilots in the room expressed concerns about what might come next—predicting more FAA ramp checks and inspections. In the meantime, I’ll reiterate the same advice I give my own kids: Follow the rules and you’ll be fine—and it’s always good practice to brush up. AOPA has a lot of resources for that—so dig into our website, YouTube channel, magazines, and more. Be the best pilot you can be—for yourself, your fellow pilots, and the community.

North Perry’s most recent Florida Department of Transportation study calculated an annual economic impact of $285 million and more than 2,000 jobs. To call something with such significance “incompatible” with the community deserves some scrutiny. AOPA will do its part to offer safety education and advocacy and will continue to monitor developments closely as having an open and transparent partnership with airports, pilots, and local communities is key to protecting our GA ecosystem.