Giving thanks

Fortunately, at this time of year we make a point of giving thanks for the things and people that matter most to us.

For me, the freedom to fly is always high on the list of things for which I’m most grateful. And that’s never been more true than it is today. Earlier this year, we held a meeting of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA). As president of IAOPA, I have the chance to work with affiliates from countries around the globe and learn more about the very real challenges they face. In many countries, general aviation is almost nonexistent, and pilots must fight for their most basic needs, such as access to airports and airspace, weather information, and fuel.

Hearing their stories reminds me just how precious our freedom to fly is, and how impossible it would be to restore if it eroded.

I spend a great deal of time traveling around the country, and I’m amazed and gratified by the variety of aviation interests and opportunities I see—something that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Seaplanes, skiplanes, helicopters, gliders, antique aircraft, warbirds, homebuilts, amphibs, Experimentals, high wings, low wings, single-engines, multiengines, pistons, turboprops, turbines—these aircraft are in daily use around the United States by ordinary pilots like you and me. And with these aircraft we have access to major airports, reliever fields, rural community airports, easy-access urban and suburban airports, backcountry airports, public and private grass strips, lakes and oceans, and so much more.

We achieved something many people believed was impossible—third class medical reform—with the help of more than 220,000 letters AOPA members sent to their representatives in Congress.If you stop to think about it, the diversity is overwhelming. Regardless of what most appeals to you about aviation, you have the freedom to pursue it. That’s true every day, and it remains true because of the advocacy work of organizations such as AOPA and the engagement of our members.

And I’m pleased to say that we are not only working every day to defend our freedoms, we’re actually growing them. In fact, it has been an extraordinary year for general aviation. We achieved something many people believed was impossible—third class medical reform—with the help of more than 220,000 letters AOPA members sent to their representatives in Congress.

Under these reforms, hundreds of thousands of pilots will never again need to visit an aviation medical examiner. They’ll save hundreds of millions of dollars by being spared repetitive and medically unnecessary tests. They’ll be able to stay current and waste less time on the ground waiting for the FAA to review paperwork. They’ll be able to keep flying the aircraft they know and love. They’ll receive recurrent education on aeromedical factors. And they’ll build more open and honest relationships with their personal physicians. In short, medical reform will give hundreds of thousands of pilots freedom from a costly, burdensome, and antiquated system.

On the advocacy front, this year we’ve also had state tax and legislative victories, prevented user fees, moved toward a less prescriptive and more risk-based certification system, and helped bring modern technology to our aging GA fleet. When it comes to growing our community, we’ve helped lapsed pilots get back into flying, grown the flying-club community, recognized flight schools that do a great job of supporting their students, and brought educators together to promote aviation education in our high schools.

For all these things, I’m grateful. There will be more challenges, and more work ahead—and we’re ready to do it. But for now, in this moment, I’m thankful for what we’ve achieved, appreciative of our AOPA members, and grateful to be living and flying in the United States in 2016.

Email [email protected]