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In the news
Learn what news sources and organizations outside AOPA are writing and saying about AOPA’s president. The stories listed in this section are extracted from a variety of aviation, political, and news publications. This section includes audio podcasts, video interviews, and text articles.
For a listing of Web sites, blogs, and columns recommended by the AOPA president, please visit On the Web.
New regulations could ground Angel Flight West
July 9, 2009—Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Each month, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West fly patients needing specialized medical care, including chemotherapy and dialysis, to hospitals throughout California. Many of these patients are from rural areas and would otherwise be hard-pressed to receive the care they need.
Commentary: New aviation rules would hurt charity work
July 7, 2009—The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA
Each month, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight Northeast fly patients needing specialized medical care, including chemotherapy and dialysis, to hospitals throughout Massachusetts. Many of these patients are from rural areas and would otherwise be hard-pressed to receive the care they need.
General aviation is threatened
June 19, 2009—Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyo.)
Each month, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West fly patients needing specialized medical care, including chemotherapy and dialysis, to hospitals throughout Wyoming. Many of these patients are from rural areas and would otherwise be hard-pressed to receive the care they need.
DHS OIG says GA not much of a terrorism threat
June 19, 2009—AVweb
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Homeland Security says general aviation poses a “limited and mostly hypothetical” tool for terrorists.
AOPA and EAA join hands in cooperation
June 12, 2009—Flying Magazine Online
The two largest general aviation “alphabet groups” have always had a cooperative working relationship. But that synergy was formalized last week in a meeting between the two groups’ leaders.
AOPA, EAA teaming to protect general aviation
June 11, 2009—Aviation International Online
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) said last week that they will be collaborating on issues and programs that protect, support and foster general aviation.
General aviation imperiled by Congress
June 10, 2009—The Star (Grand Coulee, Colo.)
Each month, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West fly patients needing specialized medical care, including chemotherapy and dialysis, to hospitals throughout Washington. Many of these patients are from rural areas and would otherwise be hard-pressed to receive the care they need.
Aviation services threatened
June 9, 2009—The Kent Reporter (Kent, Wash.)
Each month, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West fly patients needing specialized medical care, including chemotherapy and dialysis, to hospitals throughout Washington. Many of these patients are from rural areas and would otherwise be hard-pressed to receive the care they need.
EAA, AOPA to work together for GA
June 5, 2009—AVweb
EAA and AOPA say they’ve entered into a new spirit of collaboration to promote general aviation. Senior staff from both organizations met recently to figure out how to play on each other’s strengths for the common good of GA and members of both organizations, of which there is considerable crossover.
EAA, plane owner group to collaborate to promote general aviation
June 4, 2009—Marketplace Magazine
Two of the nation’s largest aviation associations, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association, will be collaborating on issues and programs that protect, support and grow general aviation.
General Aviation Caucus takes off in Congress
June 1, 2009—The Politico
When lobbyists look for friends in Congress, they can often find like-minded lawmakers in caucuses they have formed to promote their issues—everything from port security to biotechnology. But when the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association launched a lobbying campaign promoting general aviation, there was no caucus to tap. So association officials did the next best thing: They helped build one.
Help Dad take off this Father’s Day with an introductory flying lesson from LetsGoFlying.com
May 29, 2009—Bizjournals.com
FREDERICK, Md./PRNewswire/—Over the years, Dad has given you wings, lifted you up and encouraged you every step of the way. This Father’s Day, do the same for him—literally—by giving him something extra special, a LetsGoFlying.com introductory flying lesson.
GA advocacy groups welcome Babbitt to FAA
May 28, 2009—AVweb
Newly confirmed FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has won a warm welcome from leaders in the general aviation world—along with realistic assessments that the times ahead will be challenging. “I look forward to working with Administrator Babbitt,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “During his confirmation hearing, and in my conversations with Randy, he demonstrated that he clearly understands general aviation pilots and our needs.”
NATA’s Coyne joins AOPA’s ‘GA Serves America’ campaign
May 22, 2009—The Weekly of Business Aviation
National Air Transportation Association President and CEO James Coyne was tapped to head a new advisory council for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s GA Services America advocacy campaign. AOPA last month formally launched the campaign in an effort to educate the general public about the importance of general aviation (BA, March 30/11). The campaign will use a combination of targeted broadcast, print and online advertising. Coyne will serve as chairman to a council that will work with opinion leaders, policymakers, legislators and the public. “Jim Coyne and NATA represent vital segments of general aviation, the fixed-base operators who provide essential airport services, charter air service providers, and flight schools,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “His experience as a pilot and a leader in the aviation industry, as well as his time on Capitol Hill, will provide valuable insight as we stand up to the significant challenges general aviation faces today.” Coyne said the campaign would “dispel the myths about our community and promote the significant, meaningful contributions we make to our nation’s economy, supply chain, and, in some regions of the country, even the standard of living.”
AOPA raises red flag on user fees
May 14, 2009—AVweb
Information about the Obama administration’s FAA budget proposal that was released on Tuesday “makes it clear that the White House...seems determined to radically reduce general fund support for aviation in America,” AOPA said this week.
AOPA warns user fees on Obama agenda
May 14, 2009—General Aviation News
Information about the Obama Administration’s budget proposal for the FAA, released May 13, makes it clear that the White House seeks a fundamental change in the funding of our nation’s aviation system, an AOPA news release warned.
AOPA expands General Aviation Serves America campaign outreach
May 14, 2009—Aviation Maintenance Technology
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association on Thursday announced the formation of a special advisory council to the General Aviation Serves America campaign. National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO James K. Coyne has agreed to chair the council, which will help ensure that opinion leaders, policy- and lawmakers, and the public at large understand the full breadth and scope of general aviation.
The view from Washington
May 14, 2009—Aero-News.net
In this month’s issue of the Aircraft Electronics Association’s monthly magazine, Avionics News, columnist Ric Peri, who is the vice president of government and industry affairs for AEA, weighs in with his thoughts about the use of general aviation aircraft to conduct business.
Pilots group takes to the airwaves
May 6, 2009—Politico
In Washington, even a footnote can launch a multimillion-dollar lobbying blitz. Buried near the end of President Barack Obama’s budget summary is the seemingly unremarkable footnote: “Starting in 2011, the budget proposes to replace some aviation excise taxes with direct user charges.”
Aviation Summit focuses on funding, NextGen
May 5, 2009—AVweb
About 200 industry leaders met in Washington, D.C., last week for the 8th Annual Aviation Summit. The summit, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, brings together experts from government agencies, airlines and aviation advocacy groups. NextGen was a hot topic on the agenda, as was the future of aviation funding and the impact of economic uncertainty.
