FAA Administrator Marion Blakey will address pilot concerns at AOPA Expo 2004's opening general session in Long Beach, Calif.

FAA Administrator Marion Blakey will address pilot concerns at AOPA Expo 2004's opening general session in Long Beach, Calif.

Preserving America's airports. Temporary flight restrictions. Maintaining high-quality, no-fee preflight briefings. These issues are of vital importance to general aviation pilots. They're also issues facing FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. On Thursday, October 21, Blakey will discuss many such issues as she speaks to AOPA's members during the opening general session of AOPA Expo 2004 in Long Beach, Calif.

Since moving into the administrator's office, Blakey has attended AOPA Expo every year. However, commitments in Washington will prevent an in-person appearance at this year's event. To ensure that Expo attendees once again get to "meet" the administrator, AOPA will establish a live, two-way video and audio feed with FAA headquarters so that Blakey can address AOPA's members as well as hear and respond to audience questions in real time.

"So often, it feels like the FAA's primary focus is on the 'big iron' - the airlines and the high-flying corporate jets," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "That's why our members look forward to hearing directly from the administrator each year at AOPA Expo. Her participation underscores the importance of general aviation in America."

With more than 400,000 members, representing nearly two thirds of all pilots in the United States, AOPA is the largest, most influential aviation association in the world. AOPA has achieved its prominent position through effective advocacy, enlightened leadership, technical competence, and hard work. Providing member services that range from representation at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, advice, and other assistance, AOPA has built a service organization that is without peer in the aviation community.

AOPA Expo is the premier general aviation convention and light aircraft trade show, held this year at the Long Beach Convention Center. More than 500 vendor exhibits will fill the convention hall, while some 70 aircraft will be on static display a short shuttle bus ride away at Long Beach Airport. More than 48,000 of AOPA's members live in California.

04-4-002

October 6, 2004