State aviation official wins AOPA's annual award for California aviation advocacy

State aviation official wins AOPA's annual award for California aviation advocacy

Richard G. Dyer and AOPA President Phil Boyer

California Department of Aeronautics official Richard G. Dyer is the recipient of AOPA's annual Joe Crotti Award for aviation advocacy in California.

Presentation of the award for 1999 was made by AOPA President Phil Boyer at the AOPA Pilot Town Meeting in Concord, California, March 2.

"California aviation is such a large portion of U.S. general aviation, and trends there—especially in noise and urbanization issues—often set the national pace," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Accordingly, AOPA offers special recognition to the person each year who best personifies the defense and advancement of general aviation in the Golden State."

Dick Dyer, hired in 1969 by the California Department of Aeronautics (by the late Joe Crotti himself, California's longtime chief aviation official), has been an acknowledged leader in aircraft/airport noise and environmental issues.

In 1970, he helped develop the first-in-the-nation California Airport Noise Regulations and has managed their application since. Key to his approach is educating both the aviation community and airport neighbors on measures for airport/neighborhood compatibility.

Dyer has also been active in assisting California's Airport Land Use commissions develop appropriate airport land use plans for each public-use facility in the state.

Dyer was a 1959 graduate of CalPoly San Luis Obispo, followed by four years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command.

He is still an active general aviation pilot and AOPA member, taking every possible opportunity to speak out on behalf of general aviation as one of its strongest advocates in California.

AOPA's nationwide membership of more than 355,000 pilots includes more than 45,000 California aviators.

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April 5, 2000