Presidents Position: See you at the show

Part of what makes the annual trip to Oshkosh so much fun is the sense of community around this massive general aviation gathering. Pilots and enthusiasts from every aviation discipline come together in one place. Whether you’re hanging out at the seaplane base on a warm afternoon or strolling among the lovingly maintained classic aircraft of another era, there’s truly something for every aviation interest. From military and commercial pilots to homebuilders and students, everyone is welcome and everyone has something to contribute.

It’s also a great chance for aviation organizations like AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association to strengthen our relationships and showcase a few of the many ways we work together on behalf of our members. Whether we’re cooperating on key advocacy issues or supporting one another’s programs and events—you’ll find EAA Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton joining me on stage at most of our AOPA Fly-Ins—our associations work together to serve you.

For those of us who work at AOPA, getting to meet thousands of our members in person over the course of a jam-packed week is another great benefit of being at AirVenture.

This year we’ve got all kinds of special events lined up to help you get the most out of your membership and your flying. Each day in the AOPA Pavilion, we’ll offer seminars on everything from equipping for ADS-B to using the newest features of AOPA’s flight planning tools. We’ll even give you a sneak peek at some of the unique features now in development. And experts from the AOPA Air Safety Institute will help you set and stick with effective personal minimums, improve your decision making, and fly more safely.

If you haven’t flown for a while, join us for a Rusty Pilots seminar and get ready to get back in the air. If you’ve ever thought about joining or starting a flying club, our “Maximum Fun, Minimum Cost” seminars can connect you to all the tools, information, and personalized help you need. Or maybe you’d like to sharpen your instrument flying skills with an IFR refresher seminar.

Everyone likes to laugh, so you won’t want to miss aviation humorist and CFI extraordinaire Rod Machado.

And, of course, I’ll be hosting two Pilot Town Hall events to talk about the latest developments in AOPA’s programs and advocacy efforts. It’s my chance to bring you up to date on everything that’s happening at your association and in the halls of Congress. Third class medical reform (see “Sens. Inhofe, Manchin honored with Hartranft Award,” p. 30), FAA reauthorization, and ways to fly more for less are just a few of the subjects I’ll be talking about.

Just as important, I’ll be taking your questions. It’s my chance to hear from you about the issues that really matter to the way you fly.

Join me Wednesday, July 27, at 1 p.m. for a Pilot Town Hall followed by free ice cream. Early risers can join me Friday, July 29, at 8 a.m. to kick off the day with free coffee and donuts, and an AOPA update.

We’re still adding new events and speakers, so be sure to check online or pick up a schedule at the AOPA Campus at AirVenture. And while you’re there, get to know more about the many ways AOPA can make your flying easier, more affordable, and more fun. We’ll have team members on hand to help with medical or legal services, insurance, membership questions, flight planning tools, and more.

The AOPA Campus is a great place to enjoy that sense of community that helps make AirVenture so special. Join us on the flight line for a great view of all the aerial excitement or stop by for a seat in the shade, and get to know some of your fellow members while you take in one of general aviation’s greatest annual events.

Email [email protected]

Mark Baker is AOPA’s fifth president.