Securing the future of GA

Children are key to securing the future of general aviation, AOPA President Phil Boyer told more than 250 aviators and family members last night in Moline, Illinois. Speaking to the Quad City Aviators Association, Boyer highlighted four youngsters who attended the meeting with their flying parents, saying that getting children excited about flying will help to keep GA available to everyone. He gave the children some of the educational materials available through AOPA's APPLE program (America's Pilots Participating in Local Education). Boyer told the attendees about AOPA's "behind the scenes" efforts to restore general aviation following the September 11 tragedy. He gave special emphasis to AOPA's pilot ID proposal. In response to public security concerns, AOPA has petitioned the FAA to require that pilots carry a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) along with the pilot and medical certificates. "If the responsible pilots of America don't take a proactive approach now, the government and others will. We may not like what we get."

Children are key to securing the future of GA. Pictured (l-r) are Vanessa DeReu, Roy Fisher, Victoria and Veronica DeReu, Boyer.

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