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Recently, your AOPA Regional Manager has reached out to you to see if your airport has taken any recent steps to either promote competition over FBO-related services, or make access to your airport more affordable. If so, AOPA wants to know your airport’s story and learn more.
As you may know, AOPA has undertaken an effort to address egregious FBO pricing and fees at a number of airports across the country. As part of this initiative, AOPA is working with and encouraging airports to reclaim their governance and ensure such pricing and fees are fair and reasonable. You can learn more here.
Thus far, AOPA has seen airports stepping up to help general aviation. Orange County (SNA), Santa Barbara (SBA), Eastern Iowa (CID), and Jackson Hole (JAC) are notable airports where specific actions have already been taken. Examples we have seen thus far:
We applaud airports taking control of their airports and want to recognize them for that, wherever it is occurring. These stories deserve to be told, and we are more than happy to do so.
Please send an email to your AOPA Regional Manager if you believe your airport is taking actions like those described above. Alternatively, if you are having notable problems with an FBO pricing issue, please reach out as well.
As pilots, we are used to looking at the shape of Class B airspace as an upside-down wedding cake. We understand that the first level extends from the ground upward; a larger ring sits on top of that, and a still larger ring above that. In terms of airport advocacy, we need to visualize the same three-tiered model.
Local wisdom is the best source of information at an airport. Who better understands current issues, history, and future needs better than the pilots who are based there? Encourage pilots to:
Not every state has its own general aviation organization. But a quick Google search will tell if your state does. Statewide airport advocacy organizations are important because they maintain statewide contacts, information, and strategies. Further, our statewide groups can also advise and assist the local airport groups when issues arise.
National aviation organizations like AOPA are a critical piece of the three-tiered airport defense strategy. Membership insures that each maintains its ability to support statewide or local airport and pilot organizations. Interfacing with our Congressional representatives throughout the year, the national aviation organizations have a large presence in Washington, DC. This serves to remind national policymakers of the importance of general aviation to the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
I would encourage everyone to think of an upside-down wedding cake when it comes to advocating for GA and airports. Think globally and act locally. The more we promote general aviation the more we protect our airports.
The value of Detroit’s Coleman A. Young Municipal Airport (DET) is once again being questioned by city officials. The city is now studying future uses of the airport property and they may attempt to designate the land for a non-aeronautical purpose. This year, local pilots and aviation businesses came together to form the Coleman A. Young International Airport Education Association. See more AOPA coverage here and visit supportkdet.org to learn more.
Oceano County Airport gives pilot's access to one of California’s most beautiful beach vacation and recreational areas. The airport has a campground available year-round and is located within walking distance of the Oceano Dunes, restaurants, beach house rentals, and other attractions. There's also free use of the airport bicycles for a bike ride to the beach. With the implementation of the new AWOS-3 at Oceano's County Airport, visiting aircraft will have real time weather information which will help generate more frequent visits to the area by pilots and their families to better support the local businesses.
An Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant has provided funding for the installation of an AWOS-3 (Automated Weather Observing System-3) and the replacement of the airport beacon. The FAA AIP Grant totaled $360K leaving an additional cost of $145K for the AWOS-3 upgrade, which was self-funded by San Luis Obispo County Department of Airports.
The AWOS-3 will be a major asset to all pilots at Oceano County Airport due to the airport's vicinity to the coastline at Oceano Beach, CA. Pilots will be able to receive a computer-generated voice message which is broadcast via radio to pilots in the vicinity of the airport. The message is updated at least once per minute. This will be a great benefit to departing and arriving aircraft at Oceano County Airport due to the possibility of developing weather including winds, a marine layer, stratus clouds, or fog.
I simply cannot believe we are at the end of 2017! It has been a fantastic year for general aviation advocacy across all areas. This year, we saw the implementation of BasicMed, we saw another attempt to privatize ATC stall out (for now), and we saw the introduction of airport funding legislation (the FLIGHT Act of 2017) that will make new funding opportunities available for your airport’s projects. Permanently. Through all that, the total number of ASN volunteers has remained well above 2,100 through the year. Your Regional Manager has begun a monthly ASN newsletter and will continue to directly support you in your effort to promote, protect, and defend your airport. Several airports have taken positive steps to reduce egregious FBO pricing on their fields as the FAA has issued new guidance on the topic. Finally, in December we reconstituted the ASN Board of Advisors and hosted its first annual meeting in Frederick, MD. In 2018, you can expect significant changes to this newsletter as we work to make it more focused and more valuable to you. Thank you for your continuous dedication and Happy New Year!
AOPA Regional Fly-In September 8-9, Norman, OK (OUN)
Over 7,500 people and 500 airplanes came to enjoy the Friday educational seminars and the Saturday events. This year, AOPA broke the mold of the wildly successful regional fly-in by adding Friday seminars which educate both the pilot, and non-pilot [as with Pilot Plus One/Right Seat Ready]. The Friday Workshops led by world-renowned presenters were very popular with attendees. The fun continued at our ever-popular Barnstormers Party, presented by Jeppesen. Saturday activities included free seminars all day, dozens of exhibits and aircraft on display, great meals, and a Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker.
Fremont County Air Show September 16th Fremont County Airport (1V6) gateway to the Royal Gorge and Rocky Mountains. This free community Fly-in was very well attended. Events included an EAA Pancake Breakfast, parachute demonstration, war bird fly-bys, aerial demonstrations, acrobatics, hot rods, Police & Fire Fighting vehicles, remote control aircraft display, and free helicopter rides. (Photo Credit: Bruce Claremont)
Kern Valley Airport Backcountry Fly-In, Kernville, CA, September 22nd-24th, (L95)
The Backcountry Fly-In and Camp-out at Kern Valley Airport in foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California attracted 30 airplanes. Activities included airplane camping, white water rafting, backcountry fly-out, and Tri-tip BBQ. (Photo Credit: Scott Boling)
October 13th-14th, California Pilots Association AirFest 2017, San Carlos, CA (KSQL)
Over 130 attendees enjoyed the beautiful Bay Area event which included a visit from AOPA President Mark Baker.