AOPA Executive Vice President of Communications Karen Gebhart (far left) presented Mid-Ohio Valley Aviation Association (MOVAA) President Jim Bennon (left) with an AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer welcome kit. MOVAA Secretary Evy Bryant (right) and MOVAA Treasurer Dan Bryant (far right) also met with Gebhart.
As pilots band together in the Mid-Ohio Valley region of West Virginia to help revitalize their community’s aviation infrastructure, AOPA is showing support for their efforts to highlight the importance of the local airports.
AOPA Executive Vice President of Communications Karen Gebhart flew to Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Oct. 22 to recognize pilots’ work to grow activity at the airport. She also presented Mid-Ohio Valley Aviation Association (MOVAA) President Jim Bennon, who was recently appointed as the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for the airport, with a volunteer welcome kit. Bennon has spearheaded an effort to re-energize the MOVAA, which has grown to about 100 pilots who are interested in supporting GA in the region.
“Mid-Ohio Valley Regional is an asset to the community and a great way for pilots to get to their destinations. Local pilots’ efforts to restore interest in general aviation can make the airport even more vibrant,” Gebhart said. “AOPA encourages pilots to support their airports and have their voices heard by staying active in AOPA and local associations—and by showing up at the airport to go flying.”
Gebhart and AOPA Pilot Information Center Aviation Technical Specialist Patrick Smith flew from AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Md., to Mid-Ohio Valley Regional in Parkersburg, W.Va., in the association’s Diamond DA40. “General aviation gave us the capability to travel efficiently to Mid-Ohio Valley Regional, and we got a view of the beautiful fall foliage along the way,” Gebhart said.
Gebhart gave a presentation to MOVAA about AOPA’s efforts to protect GA, the status of the user fee issue, and the GA Serves America campaign. Smith gave a short overview of the Pilot Information Center. Gebhart and Smith also met with Bennon, MOVAA Secretary Evy Bryant, and MOVAA Treasurer Dan Bryant to discuss GA in the area.
