With this month’s column, I conclude five enjoyable years in the left seat at AOPA. You and I have shared an extraordinary journey through some very challenging times.
During the course of the year, AOPA creates and participates in gatherings across the country where we interact with our members, share flying stories, and talk about the issues that affect our general aviation community. There is one gathering that, for us, represents the pinnacle of our annual outreach activity—the AOPA Aviation Summit.
During the course of the year, AOPA creates and participates in gatherings across the country where we interact with our members, share flying stories, and talk about the issues that affect our general aviation community. There is one gathering that, for us, represents the pinnacle of our annual outreach activity—the AOPA Aviation Summit.
During most AOPA Town Hall gatherings, I remind participating members that AOPA's founders created our organization in 1939 largely because they feared that a government about to enter a world war just might regulate general aviation out of existence. Nearly 75 years later, our mission is grounded in similar concerns--raised not by the prospect of war but by the growing power of regulatory agencies, many of which operate with increasing autonomy and minimal oversight.
During most AOPA Town Hall gatherings, I remind participating members that AOPA's founders created our organization in 1939 largely because they feared that a government about to enter a world war just might regulate general aviation out of existence. Nearly 75 years later, our mission is grounded in similar concerns--raised not by the prospect of war but by the growing power of regulatory agencies, many of which operate with increasing autonomy and minimal oversight.
Only a few weeks ago, legislation to provide the FAA with budget flexibility passed the Senate unanimously and the House of Representatives by a huge margin. The changes were designed to end air traffic controller furloughs and give the FAA monies to evaluate and keep open needed towers.
During the past few weeks, I have found myself thinking more than once of the adage: “You’re not paranoid if people really are out to get you.” For months, the administration in Washington, D.C., said sequestration simply would not happen. But, then it did.
During the past few weeks, I have found myself thinking more than once of the adage: “You’re not paranoid if people really are out to get you.” For months, the administration in Washington, D.C., said sequestration simply would not happen. But, then it did.
More than a day has passed since the sequester took effect and we still have few details about precisely what that means for general aviation. Unfortunately, even the people who make those decisions still aren't entirely clear on what happens now.
