Supporting your local airport
"I was interested to see that one of my local airports was listed as one that is in need of a volunteer representative," an AOPA member recently wrote in an e-mail message to AOPA. "Are there particular issues currently of concern that make it a priority for a volunteer?"
Jim Knight, an AOPA aviation technical specialist who also serves as the lead in AOPA's aviation services department for airport-related issues, responded: "The AOPA Airport Support Network (ASN) is looking for volunteers for every public-use airport, especially those listed on the FAA's national plan of integrated airport systems. An ASN volunteer is appointed to be AOPA's eyes and ears for the airport and they have direct contact with AOPA's airport department."
The purpose of AOPA's Airport Support Network volunteers may appear to be to "save" their airport, but according to Knight, an ASN volunteer's most important role is to support their airport. "All airports are affected by possible issues such as incompatible land-use encroachments or noise complaints," says Knight. "There may not be a problem brewing at your local airport today, but one could be tomorrow."
Pilots, aircraft owners, and airport businesses need to become more visible in the community and participate in their airport's affairs, so they are more proactive when a potential problem does arise at the airport. Noise complaints and encroachment issues are the two most common problems affecting today's airports — big and small. "Even the largest airports have general aviation aircraft on them," says Knight. "The best way to combat a potential problem at your airport is to get involved before there is an issue," he adds.
Knight suggests forming a tenant group of pilots, aircraft owners, and businesses that use the airport. This committee gives the airport a voice within the community, and represents it by attending city and county council meetings and other organized community events. "Being visible in the community means that an issue wouldn't sneak by and become a larger problem without prior knowledge," Knight explains. For example, changes in a municipality's administration could possibly mean harm to the airport if a new administration doesn't look as favorably on the airport as the previous one.
Knight also suggests that the airport committee should host an airport open house during which pilots and other users could explain the importance of the airport to the community. "Many people see the local airport as the place where the rich go out and fly their expensive aircraft," says Knight. Illustrating the many different types of operations at a general aviation airport — lifesaving flights such as AirLifeLine, for example — can be very enlightening to the uninformed public. An open house can also help show the positive economic impact the airport has on the community. "And if all else fails, take visitors on a discovery fligh to educate them about general aviation — it gets them every time," adds Knight.
"Supporting airports is a two-way street. People need to get involved and we'll provide our support as needed," continues Knight. "You can't be afraid to defend your airport, and AOPA needs local airport community involvement."
You can reach experts in all fields of aviation via AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/), the AOPA Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA), and e-mail ( [email protected]). Aviation technical specialists respond promptly to member requests while AOPA Online provides members with access to information and resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free AOPA Pilot Information Center gives you direct access to specialists in every area of aviation. The center is available to members from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
AOPA Web resources
Work with AOPA to establish an early warning system for potential threats to your local airport — become an AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer. Information, forms to apply for ASN volunteer status, and how to find an ASN volunteer in your area.
www.aopa.org/asn/whatis.html
AOPA members support local airports — so should you. Learn more about how you can help GA airports in the United States.
www.aopa.org/asn/001219commercial.html
Holding an open house at your local airport — tips and tricks.
www.aopa.org/asn/open_house.pdf
Learn what you or your business — or someone else's business — needs to know in order to operate a business legally on airport grounds.
www.aopa.org/asn/minimum_standards.pdf
Don't let the fact that there's not a problem at your airport now lull you into complacency. What you need to do before there's a problem.
www.aopa.org/asn/localairports.pdf
How to organize a support group for your airport and what your airport is worth to the community are questions answered in "Airports Then and Now — A Valuable Community Resource."
www.aopa.org/asn/communitysupport/
