Testing our mettle

And while combat and the legislative process are not even close to being in the same category, both require passion, perseverance, persistence, preparation, planning, execution, and the ability to adjust when necessary. The massive aviation bill that is up for renewal this year, commonly referred to as the FAA reauthorization, will test all these attributes.

The value your AOPA membership brings is a result of these attributes. An organization that provides aviation legal services to pilots when needed; advice on navigating the FAA’s medical processes; an information center with a team in Frederick, Maryland, that will answer all your aviation-related questions; aircraft financing products; safety training and education; a STEM aviation curriculum for high school students; scholarships to help advance aviation education; programs to get rusty pilots back in the air; resources to help pilots across the country establish flying clubs to reduce costs and create a sense of community; an airport directory to help you in your preflight planning; world-class magazines; one of the top advocacy teams in the country fighting every single day for you and for general aviation; and much more. That has value if you love aviation.

I have mentioned this in previous columns, but what we have today—the freedom to fly—didn’t just happen. Many before us, many today, and many to come, young and old, have fought and will have to fight for this freedom. It is what makes AOPA what it is, an organization helping to influence the success of a community with a desire and passion for flying and one that realizes hard work still pays off.

AOPA and our members are not complacent. When something needs to be addressed, we address it. We don’t take credit for the work of other organizations; we wear out shoe leather; we work with policy makers and decision makers at the local, state, federal, and international levels to tackle the issues that sometimes seem, well, misplaced. Is it easy? Do we win every battle? Of course not, but it’s well worth it at the end of the day. We do this advocacy work on behalf of our members with leadership at the top, with facts, and with professional persistence. It’s how we moved third class medical reform. It’s how we stopped the airline takeover of our ATC system. It’s how we win battles every day.

The needs of general aviation have never been more important than they are in 2023. And our commitment to making sure your voice is heard has never been more focused. Getting through the complex and massive reauthorization process takes countless hours working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. We are already engaging in several areas.

Have you been shocked at the number and amount of fees many chain FBOs charge because of a lack of competition? If so, get on board. How can one justify access to a public-use airport wherein pilots are then required to pay a private business even when they don’t need or want the services provided? There is no reason why pilots should not have access to public transient ramp space where a reasonable tiedown fee can be administered. If you agree, get on board. Are you on a hangar waiting list? Has your airport decided to demolish your T-hangar and build something else, leaving you and your aircraft in the wind, rain, sun, and snow? Has there been a lack of investment in your local airport? If so, join us.

We often talk about the need to address the pilot shortage, but we face challenges today with getting students signed off with their checkride. By making designated pilot examiners more available and accessible to the pilot community, we’ll alleviate the backlog and get more deserving pilots into the skies. If you agree, let’s ride!

As Tennyson’s poem suggests, many of the soldiers rode into the valley not knowing their ultimate fate, but did so for a cause they believed in. Similarly, as we advocate for general aviation, we honor the charge of those who fought before us by continuing their efforts. AOPA President Mark Baker will be reaching out to you soon to join our collective effort to engage in and support the pursuit of promoting and protecting not only our freedom to fly but for fairness and common sense, so that current and future aviators and enthusiasts will experience all that general aviation and AOPA has to offer. It’s an honor to fight alongside you.

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