National pilot association president to meet with pilots in Van Nuys, California

AOPA President Phil Boyer will visit California to hold a Pilot Town Meeting in Van Nuys on Wednesday, May 14. As the president of the world's largest aviation association, Boyer will update pilots on the latest changes in regulations and legislation affecting general aviation during these times of heightened security. During lively, interactive discussions, Boyer will also solicit pilots' views on the general aviation situation in California. He will address perceived security issues facing the general aviation community and discuss AOPA's recently unveiled Airport Watch program, a joint venture with the Transportation Security Administration to help keep America's general aviation airports secure from terrorists.

Boyer, president of the more than 390,000-member association, will also outline the new General Aviation Serving America Web site, which is an initiative to educate the country about the important role of general aviation in the national economy and transportation system. The Pilot Town Meeting in Van Nuys begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to all pilots without charge. For more details on Pilot Town meetings, visit the Web page.

Phil Boyer, a 36-year veteran aviator and former network television senior executive, is the third full-time president in AOPA's 64-year history. Instrument and multiengine rated, he has logged nearly 7,000 flight hours, including two transatlantic crossings. He has been president of AOPA since January 1991.

Boyer has held over 290 Pilot Town Meetings during the past 10 years, reporting to pilots all across the country and soliciting their feedback to keep AOPA action focused on current pilot concerns. To date, more than 61,000 pilots have participated in these Pilot Town Meetings.

AOPA represents pilots and owners of the 221,000 general aviation aircraft that constitute 92 percent of the U.S. civilian fleet.

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