AOPA 2002 Annual Report

AOPA securing GA's future

A return to normalcy is what everyone in aviation has hoped and worked for since the world changed on September 11, 2001. But the truth is that things will never be exactly the same. Today there's a new definition of normal — and it includes new concerns about security, new government agencies, and new threats to the rights and privileges of general aviation pilots. As the definition of what's normal continues to evolve, AOPA is working proactively to make sure that your interests — the interests of general aviation — are represented at the highest levels.

In times of change it would have been easy to adopt a wait-and-see approach to setting organizational goals, but AOPA elected not to stagnate. Instead, because your association understands that there is strength in numbers, we decided to strive for membership growth. The year 2002 closed with a new record of 390,749 AOPA members, positioning us to pursue a membership goal of 400,000 to celebrate the centennial of powered flight this year.

Political ties

The year 2002 began with a new agency, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), taking charge of aviation security issues. But even before this agency assumed its responsibilities, AOPA was busy developing relationships with TSA leaders. AOPA has worked closely with TSA chief Adm. James Loy and his agency to make sure that government officials understand that GA operators care about security, but have different needs than the airlines. These officials have received the message loud and clear — when it comes to aviation security, one size does not fit all.

That understanding led to critical cooperation between AOPA and the TSA late last year when AOPA's Airport Watch program was launched. Based on highly successful neighborhood watch programs around the nation, AOPA's Airport Watch encourages those who know small airports best — the general aviation pilots who use them — to keep an eye out for and report suspicious activity. AOPA prepared a brochure and video that spell out what to look for and how to respond to suspicious situations. The TSA assisted by establishing a toll-free number, 866/GA-SECUR(E) (866/427-3287), that pilots nationwide can use to report suspicious activity and relay information to law enforcement agencies.

Although the TSA has assumed responsibility for security, the FAA continues to be the agency responsible for regulating other aspects of aviation, and AOPA has continued to work to develop good relations with that important body. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey made her first appearance before a general aviation audience at AOPA Expo 2002 in Palm Springs, California. Blakey praised your association's efforts to provide its members and the public with the latest and most accurate information about changing conditions, regulations, and airspace.

And AOPA has made its presence known to the largest new agency in Washington, D.C. In meetings with Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, AOPA has presented a realistic picture of general aviation and its value to the community and the economy. Even before the department existed, AOPA worked to have language included in the legislation creating it that emphasizes the importance of transportation in making security decisions. That language ensures that general aviation will have a place at the table when measures affecting the way we fly are under consideration.

Airspace and airports

One after another, airspace restrictions have cropped up around the country, making it increasingly difficult for general aviation pilots to get themselves and their aircraft from point A to point B. AOPA has used its political ties and the strength of its membership to fight unreasonable or ineffective restrictions, and used its exceptional communication tools to keep pilots informed about the constantly changing airspace.

Special editions of the free AOPA ePilot electronic newsletter let members know about changing special-use airspace in their area. AOPA Online provides graphical depictions of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) to help pilots identify and avoid this airspace.

While AOPA has worked hard to propose and support reasonable security measures, your association also has fought airspace restrictions and federal and state legislation that use security as an excuse to promote other agendas. That was the case when professional sports organizations, including the NFL and NCAA, tried to ensure that no general aviation aircraft would be allowed to fly within three miles of a stadium. Such organizations have wanted to move banner towers and aerial sightseers away from games since long before the terrorist attacks of 2001, and they seized on fears about security to get their way. Those efforts initially led the FAA to restrict all aircraft within three miles of any stadium or large open-air gathering, but AOPA fought back, proposing a list of clarifications and trying to minimize the restrictions while still maintaining security.

As a result, in September 2002, the FAA adopted many AOPA recommendations when it changed the notam to limit overflight restrictions to specific events and a period of one hour before through one hour after the events. AOPA's efforts also ensured that pilots could arrive and depart from airports within the restricted airspace and that aerial advertisers and others needing access to the airspace could get it with an expedited security clearance. Unfortunately in 2003, sports interests succeeded in inserting language in a budget bill banning banner towers over stadiums for one year.

And even as we have tackled these new threats, AOPA never forgot what pilots want most — a place to land. That's why we fought and won battles to preserve a place for piston-powered aircraft at airports around the country, including California's Van Nuys Airport; St. Petersburg, Florida's Albert Whitted Field; and Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport. At other airports, the battle to keep general aviation on the field is not yet won, but AOPA continues to fight for your right to have access to the nation's airports and airspace.

On the side of reason

The new norm should not pose unreasonably burdensome regulations or a mishmash of state rules and requirements on pilots, and AOPA has worked tirelessly to ensure that concerns for security don't lead to such a quagmire. Your association has consistently defended the right of federal authorities — and not individual states — to govern our skies.

That's why AOPA has fought state efforts to impose background checks on pilots and flight students. Although the battle was lost in Michigan, where the state legislature enacted a law requiring background checks, AOPA has not given up. Our persistence has brought an end to proposed background check legislation in New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Maryland, and Florida. Even some cities, including several in California, have tried to enact background check legislation. While some are persisting in their course, others have ceased their efforts after being reminded by AOPA that only the federal government has the authority and responsibility to regulate pilots.

But states and cities aren't the only governing bodies that can get carried away. When federal lawmakers proposed requiring that all pilots carry a government-issued photo ID, AOPA agreed. What your association could not agree with was the idea that every pilot must get that ID from the FAA. That proposal would have cost both pilots and the federal government huge amounts of money and time when most pilots already carry a government-issued photo ID — their driver's license. AOPA fought and won its battle to allow pilots to use this form of official identification, saving pilots and taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary spending.

Similarly, AOPA continues its efforts to make flying accessible to as many people as possible. In supporting the proposal to create a sport pilot certificate that would allow individuals to fly certain aircraft without a medical, AOPA also asked that a state-issued driver's license substitute for a medical certificate for pilots holding recreational certificates.

Public perception

More than ever, general aviation is affected by public perception. Abstract fears about "little" airplanes being used by terrorists to cause havoc or take lives have only added to the longstanding fears that these same airplanes simply fall out of the sky. Such misperceptions can be dangerous. Since relatively few people know much about what general aviation is and how it can benefit them, AOPA has worked vigorously to expand its efforts to educate and inform the public.

The robust GA Serving America Web site ( www.gaservingamerica.org), launched by AOPA in 2002, teaches those with little or no knowledge of general aviation exactly what it is and how it serves their communities. A major national advertising campaign promoting GA and the GA Serving America Web site brought awareness of general aviation to readers of such publications as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Another 24 million households learned about GA through an advertising campaign on The Weather Channel during the busy Christmas travel season. That effort increased the number of visitors to the GA Serving America Web site by 10 times.

Telling general aviation's story has also meant acting aggressively to counter negative publicity and unfounded fears. When an apparently troubled flight student stole an airplane from his flight school and crashed it into a downtown Tampa building in January 2002, AOPA was ready to respond to the questions and fears sparked by the incident. Members of the communications staff and I did television interviews on CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and PBS; wrote letters to the editors of major publications nationwide; and succeeded in persuading opinion leaders that further restrictions on general aviation were neither necessary nor effective.

And when fears run rampant AOPA acts to gather the facts and share the data. In 2002 AOPA commissioned an expert to study the potential GA threat to nuclear power plants. That study showed that general aviation aircraft do not present a credible threat to the nation's nuclear power facilities.

Months later, when Time magazine ran an advertisement implying that general aviation aircraft could threaten nuclear power plants, AOPA was ready with the facts, and we called on you, our members, to respond. And you did, putting pressure on Time, which immediately pulled the advertisement and apologized to AOPA members.

On the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, AOPA used interviews with ABC, NBC, CBS, the Associated Press, Inside Edition, Time, The New York Times, and other media outlets to explain the vital role that general aviation plays in the national economy and transportation system, and to illustrate the minimal risk that GA poses to the public.

Even with so much changing, AOPA has not forgotten the remarkable achievements of the past that have made today's general aviation possible. In honor of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight, AOPA in 2002 began construction on a new pilot facility at First Flight Airport in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The facility, located near the Wright Brothers National Memorial, includes a flight-planning room, state-of-the-art weather services from Meteorlogix, flight planning by Jeppesen, and restrooms to make flying to and from the birthplace of aviation safer and more comfortable than ever.

Keeping you informed

At the same time that AOPA was working to educate and inform the general public about GA, we were striving to keep you, our members, informed about the new norm — the rapidly changing environment in which we all must operate.

AOPA Pilot continues to bring members news and information they can use to improve their flying skills. Stories about weather, safety, maintaining proficiency, and general aviation aircraft appear in every issue. AOPA Flight Training magazine and the Flight Training edition of ePilot help student pilots, new pilots, and flight instructors hone their skills to give them a general aviation flying experience that's fun, rewarding, and safe.

In 2002 AOPA made it possible for you to receive customized news and information about the issues of most interest to you through AOPA ePilot. With a quick visit to AOPA Online ( https://www.aopa.org/apps/epilot/), members who receive the free AOPA ePilot electronic newsletter "an tell us exactly what kinds of information they want so that they are always informed about the issues that matter to them, from what's going on At local airports to airworthiness directives for their aircraft.

At 26 Pilot Town Meetings held throughout the nation, I spoke personally to more than 8,200 pilots and listened to their concerns. That dialogue between you and your association helps ensure that AOPA knows what issues matter to you the most and that we respond in a timely and appropriate way.

Another 11,700 pilots — record attendance — had a chance to see their association in action at AOPA Expo 2002 in Palm Springs. The expanded exhibit areas, dozens of seminars, and aircraft on static display adjacent to the convention center were among the highlights. We expect an equally dynamic Expo from October 30 through November 1, 2003, in Philadelphia — the birthplace of AOPA and an area rich in aviation history.

Not every AOPA member can make it to a Pilot Town Meeting or AOPA Expo, but all can get news and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through AOPA Online (www.aopa.org). In 2002 there were 3.7 million unique visitors to AOPA's world-class Web site for a total of 137 million hits and 100 million page views. And, as always, we have continued to enhance the Web site, adding more information and resources, including a new package of resources for aircraft buyers ( www.aopa.org/members/vref/). We've upgraded the search engine to make it easier for you to find the information you need from our tens of thousands of pages of documents.

When it takes a personal touch, members can call the toll-free AOPA Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA) to talk to an aviation technical specialist. In 2002 these knowledgeable pilots fielded more than 125,000 calls and 37,000 e-mails from members on topics ranging from medical issues to regulations to international travel.

At night and on weekends callers to the center have the option to quickly renew their membership with the help of an interactive phone menu.

AOPA's Airport Directory Online is updated daily to give members access to airport information including everything from important frequencies to runway lengths and available services to nearby restaurants and attractions. Airport diagrams and always-current instrument approach charts enhance safety and are available free to members through the directory.

Pilots planning flights can turn to AOPA's online weather service provided by Meteorlogix for free, up-to-date information, including radar graphics, winds aloft, and surface forecasts.

Paying for it all

AOPA does more to support our members every year — and it takes money. So how is it possible for dues to have remained steady at $39 per year for a dozen years? It's possible because of AOPA's efforts to develop alternative sources of revenue, such as advertising in AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazines, and because of your support for AOPA Certified products and services. When you use AOPA's Certified programs, you not only receive valuable benefits that help you fly safely and affordably, but also a portion of the revenue comes back to AOPA to help offset the cost of maintaining your favorite services and bringing you new ones.

Membership in the AOPA Legal Services Plan reached an all-time high in 2002 as more members realized the importance of having aviation legal protection and advice in the rapidly changing regulatory and operational climate.

At the same time, use of the AOPA credit card from MBNA America soared, with more than 40 percent of AOPA members taking advantage of this program, which offers 5-percent rebates for purchases made at most FBOs for a savings of up to $250 per year. Card users can also receive a 5-percent discount for purchases made through Sporty's Pilot Shop. In 2002, this program reached an important milestone, with more than $9 million in rebates returned to members since the program's inception in 1997.

And AOPA's 18-year partnership with MBNA has made a variety of other membership programs available, including aircraft financing, certificate of deposit programs, a home equity line of credit, and Flight Training Funds, which offers loans to cover flight training expenses. In 2002 AOPA and MBNA reached an agreement to continue this partnership for another six years, opening the way for more benefits and program enhancements in the future.

In addition to the many free resources available to aircraft buyers, AOPA offers a title and escrow service to help you protect your investment from fraud, unwanted encumbrances, and liens.

The AOPA Insurance Agency continues to advocate on behalf of light-aircraft owners and pilots, emphasizing to insurance companies the need to maintain appropriate coverage levels and reasonable rates for aircraft owners and renters. Thanks in part to these efforts, insurance rates remained fairly steady throughout the year. The AOPA Insurance Agency successfully negotiated a 5-percent insurance premium discount for qualified AOPA members through AIG Aviation — a $70 savings for the average policy holder.

The AOPA Insurance Agency also provided valuable information to pilots and aircraft owners, answering questions for thousands of members about the Terrorism Relief Insurance Act, passed in November 2002.

The more things change ...

Even with many important victories in 2002, AOPA is not about to rest on its laurels. Your association understands that the climate in which general aviation operates is continuing to change. Today's new norm won't be the same as tomorrow's norm. There will be new battles to fight in the years to come even as we must revisit some of the same issues that have plagued aviation for years, including user fees and airport closures.

As the new definition of normal continues to evolve, you can count on your association to work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure that you are not faced with excessively burdensome regulations and restrictions. As AOPA looks ahead, we remember our roots and pledge to live up to our mission of making general aviation safe, fun, and affordable.

Phil Boyer, AOPA President

AOPA Air Safety Foundation 2002 Annual Report

Best Supporting Actor

Safety education keeps pilots flying

As AOPA continued the fight to keep the skies open to general aviation aircraft and pilots, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation played a strong supporting role by providing the best education available for both topical and routine safety issues. Access to parts of the airspace was difficult at times and ASF constantly monitored changes, sending information to our live seminar instructors as the changes occurred. Constant updates to Operation Airspace online were part of that effort ( www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses/know_before/).

The cost of aircraft and liability insurance rapidly escalated in recent years for a variety of reasons that are loosely tied to the safety record. Overall accidents were down slightly but fatalities were up. The rate per estimated 100,000 flight hours increased slightly because of reduced flight activity. If there was ever an incentive to maintain your skills and learn more, this is certainly persuasive.

Two areas that have recently assumed critical dimensions are public perception and insurance availability. The public is often misinformed by mass media about the nature of GA. Accidents have always been a source of misunderstanding and concern for nonpilots, and with concerns over terrorism and the potential use of GA aircraft, hysteria is rampant as television and magazines attempt to play up any possible threat. AOPA has been aggressive in rebutting the sensational approach. For the record, not one of 2002's GA accidents had anything to do with security issues or terrorists. Safety problems remained much the same as they have traditionally&been, and ASF has remained dedicated to the real safety challenges.

Online courses

In 2002, ASF introduced three new online courses bringing the total offerings to eight. Recognizing that many pilots might like to get current and proficient for IFR flight again, particularly given the challenges of airspace in certain parts of the country, ASF inaugurated a new series, the IFR Adventure. It reviews those need-to-know regulations in an entertaining and interactive format.

Runway safety continues to be a high area of interest for the FAA and the good news is that runway incursions went down last year. ASF led the way with an online course two years ago and in 2002 added an innovative flashcard program sponsored by the FAA's Office of Runway Safety. The flashcards, showing runway and taxiway signs, are designed to help pilots learn safe surface operations. In a mailing to every CFI in the country, the FAA provided ASF's videotape and safety advisor on Operations at Towered Airports along with the cards.

ASF's online CFI refresher course, in partnership with Jeppesen, continued to attract instructors and is becoming the most popular forum for CFI online renewal. It is now available to any pilot as an excellent supplement to general safety education. Most of our online courses are accepted for the ground portion of the FAA Wings program.

Live programs

ASF's live CFI refresher program remains the industry leader in weekend CFI courses. The program is updated constantly and our seasoned instructor cadre is clearly the best in the business.

The year 2002 set a record for attendance at live seminars. More than 33,000 pilots attended "Single-Pilot IFR" and the new program, "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings." Takeoffs and landings are the phases of flight where most accidents occur and this new program, which is also available for home viewing on video, takes a humorous and educational look at something that confronts every pilot on every flight.

ASF received matching grant funds for its live programs from the states of Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and New York. The FAA's Aviation Safety Program continues to work with ASF to notify pilots and assist with finding locations for live seminars. These partnerships are a cost effective way to stretch safety resources.

The Seminar-in-a-Box was fantastically successful in 2002 as more than 11,000 pilots attended local programs conducted by CFIs, flight schools, and safety counselors. This program, which packages our most popular safety seminars into a do-it-yourself format for small groups, is available to pilot groups solely for the cost of shipping and handling. Pinch-Hitter®, the well-known flying-companion course, is available in multiple locations around the country. Resolve to enroll your nonpilot companion this year. At least give them the Pinch-Hitter videotape — it makes a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift.

Publications and video

Also during 2002, a new Safety Advisor was produced to support the "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings" seminar with extensive revisions made to update GPS, Aircraft Icing, and Airspace for Everyone. The annual Nall Report , ASF's analysis of GA accidents from the prior year, was distributed to the FAA, NASA, the NTSB, several aviation universities, and tens of thousands of pilots. All Safety Advisors are available online and most are in print — individual copies are free.

Most of our seminar programs, including the new "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings" are offered on videotape for home viewing and may be purchased through Sporty's for a nominal investment. ASF also collaborated with NASA to produce a DVD and videotape of aircraft icing. And for the fourth year running, ASF sent out more than 30,000 videotapes to new private pilots and newly rated instrument pilots. Project V (for video) was funded by AOPA and is designed to reach many more pilots than we can address through seminars alone. This industry association-foundation effort to promote safety is unique — we're putting safety materials in the hands of those who need them the most.

Support

The effort to fund, develop, and field major GA safety programs is significant, especially in light of tight government and state budgets. Long-running partnerships with the FAA's Aviation Safety and Runway Safety programs continue and contribute to a very efficient joint distribution system.

ASF donors have recognized the value of investing in an agile, professional organization whose dedicated focus is helping to save lives and educate pilots. On behalf of the ASF staff and the entire GA community, thank you for your support and interest in general aviation safety.

Safe Pilots. Safe Skies.

Bruce Landsberg, ASF Executive Director

AOPA Members Make the Difference!

Year after year, the lion's share of funding for AOPA Air Safety Foundation comes from individual donors to ASF. AOPA and the entire GA community are grateful.

Volunteer members of the ASF Board of Visitors, chaired by David Hinson, former FAA Administrator, work with the ASF staff to develop new programs and to raise the money needed to fund those programs and conduct safety research.

When you join AOPA or renew your membership, $1 of your dues is donated to ASF. AOPA members contributed $380,000 to ASF in 2002. But did you know that the $1 donation raises only 8 percent of the ASF budget? For that reason, we must come to you with our phone calls and mail appeals asking for your additional support. Your tax-deductible donations, large and small, are essential to reaching our goals. Additionally, there are numerous tax-wise ways to make larger donations to ASF, and we welcome the opportunity to talk with you about them.

Today we have the capacity to reach pilots 250,000 times each year through safety seminars, targeted safety advisors, and interactive online programs. Our goal is to reach GA pilots one million times a year. As Michael Lazar, ASF Development Chair, recently put it, "Flying is a very important part of my life, and contributing to the Air Safety Foundation is a way to give back to the system to make it better for other people. ASF is an aviation community effort, and it's important for all pilots to be involved."

To learn more about supporting the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, please call 800/955-9115 or visit us online ( www.asf.org) and select the "support" option on the right of the ASF homepage. Thank you. — Harvey W. Cohen, Sr. Vice President, Development