'The Hill' names AOPA among top lobbyists of 2019

AOPA was named to the list for the sixth year in a row, which "highlights the broad range of talents needed to succeed in the influence industry."

“Being named a top lobbyist is a significant recognition given the fact that there are thousands of trade associations in Washington, D.C.,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “This honor is truly a testament to the experienced government affairs team we have in Washington, D.C., fighting for the freedom to fly and making sure that general aviation is represented at all levels of government.”

AOPA’s small government affairs staff is hard at work on issues at the international, federal, state, and local levels. Moreover, maintaining relationships with members of Congress is a huge aspect of the advocacy efforts by our government affairs team. AOPA’s regulatory experts also work every day to advance GA interests with federal agencies such as the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the NTSB, and others.

In a recent behind-the-scenes look, Jason Miller, a 20-year CFI and creator of The Finer Points series on YouTube, gave his viewers a glimpse of just where their AOPA membership dues are going when he visited the Washington, D.C., staff in September.

According to Miller, “It was profound to see how much they [AOPA] knew about every airport fight across the country and how they were speaking directly to the legislators on our behalf. This is exactly what I would hope AOPA is doing with my membership dues and I think it's important that all pilots see what they are up to. It's important that we all become members. Only together will we be able to protect the general aviation flying community which is so important for this country.”

AOPA previously made The Hill’s list of top Washington, D.C., groups in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.