'The Hill' names AOPA among top trade associations of 2020

Plagued by the coronavirus pandemic and a contentious election, 2020 proved to be challenging for many lobbyists in Washington, D.C., especially with the influx of remote work. According to The Hill, “The list highlights the broad range of talents needed to achieve success in the influence industry,” and recognized those that stood out for delivering results for their clients in Congress and the administration.

“As the only general aviation-focused association honored, this recognition is a significant achievement and testament to AOPA’s effectiveness in our nation’s capital. Our experienced advocacy staff, led by Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Coon, works tirelessly to protect our flying freedoms and ensures the concerns and needs of our members are strongly represented,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.

AOPA’s advocacy team works to advance the interests of pilots, aircraft owners, and general aviation with Congress, departments, and agencies, including the Department of Transportation, the FAA, the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Defense, the Federal Communications Commission, and the NTSB. AOPA’s government affairs team continues to achieve major wins on behalf of its membership.

“I am proud of our team and Mark Baker’s strong leadership. Having our work recognized by The Hill is very much appreciated,” said Coon. “We work every day for our 300,000-plus members and this recognition belongs to them.”

Among AOPA’s top advocacy initiatives are advancing the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates (MOSAIC); developing solutions to address the processes and need for more designated pilot examiners; working with the FAA to decrease medical certification delays by modernizing and improving communications with pilots and aviation medical examiners; working to decrease insurance rates and spiking premiums; improving FBO pricing and airport ramp transparency for pilots; supporting pilots to extend certain FAA requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; supporting our nation’s airports; supporting science, technology, engineering, and math aviation curriculum in high schools; and supporting legislation such as the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation to address aviation workforce shortages.

AOPA previously made The Hill’s list of top Washington, D.C., groups in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.