AOPA Pilot Town Meetings in Anchorage and Fairbanks March 24-25, 2003, canceled

AOPA Pilot Town Meetings in Anchorage and Fairbanks March 24-25, 2003, canceled

Dear Alaska Pilots:

With my sincere regrets, and after considerable thought, the AOPA Pilot Town Meetings scheduled for Anchorage and Fairbanks, March 24 and 25, respectively, must be canceled.

As many of you are aware, I make sure Alaska is on my schedule at the same interval as major cities in the Lower 48, approximately every 18 months to two years. I was looking forward to meeting pilots outside the timeframe of my regular summer visits, when flying is most active.

I realize that Washington, D.C., must seem a long way away from the 49th State. But what happens in our nation's capital does affect everyone, and with the pending war, I am almost certain general aviation will once again be made a scapegoat. As post 9/11/01 AOPA's work with the regulators and Congress will be most important. We have already heard rumors of Class B airspace changes for GA operations.

Later this year, I will definitely reschedule my Alaska trip. As soon as new dates are established, they will be publicized in AOPA Pilot, on our Web site, and in the mail to you.

Thanks for your understanding and continued support of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association during these troubled times.

Phil Boyer
AOPA President

March 17, 2003