Here for the long haul
Strengthening AOPA for the fights ahead
I can’t help wondering if AOPA’s founding members—a small group facing the immediate threat of a world war—imagined that the organization they started would still be defending the freedom to fly 87 years later. They came together to address the very real possibility that general aviation flying would be banned as the needs of the military took precedence. They might have hoped, and even believed, that when the war ended so would the threat to GA.
But the better part of a century later, the need to protect our freedom to fly is greater than ever. We’re facing airport encroachment, misuse of ADS-B to impose fees, rising costs, and sometimes excessive or misguided regulatory burdens. That’s why, today, we’re intensely focused on making sure AOPA is here for the next 87 years and beyond.
If you attended or watched the video of the annual member meeting (aopa.org/2026-meeting-video) held in May, then you heard Board Chairman Luke Wippler talk about the four key pillars that are guiding AOPA’s leaders—growth, governance, advocacy, and long-term health. These are priorities that have emerged from the constructive feedback we’ve received from members and from a candid assessment of our strengths and opportunities as an organization.
Let’s start with the last item on the list—long-term health. For a membership organization to stand the test of time, it has to be both relevant, serving the needs of its members, and disciplined, directing and stewarding resources to make a difference. Neither relevance nor discipline is sufficient. We need both.
From an organizational perspective, that means we need strong financial management, a clear and purposeful path forward, and the right leaders to get us there. We need the kind of strategic plan that keeps our efforts aligned with your needs.
AOPA must do the things you can’t do alone, whether that’s being heard in the halls of government, facing down the developers who want to close airports, or finding ways to make flying safer and more affordable.
How do we achieve that? Through member growth, good governance, and effective advocacy.
There is undeniable strength in numbers. We live in a noisy world. You have to be loud to cut through the chatter. But when hundreds of thousands of us band together, we’re hard to ignore. The more of us there are, the better our chances of winning the really tough fights. When you can tell a lawmaker there are thousands of AOPA members in his or her district, it makes a huge impact.
Having a big presence matters everywhere in the public sphere. Most people know nothing about general aviation and the vital role it plays in the economy, the transportation network, and humanitarian and disaster relief. All they see are accidents and noise issues. But with a big enough presence in social and traditional media, we can tell our own story about the uniquely American freedom to fly, the value we bring to rural communities, the positive economic impact we create.
AOPA has spent the past decade working to grow the pilot population in dozens of different ways. BasicMed has reduced the medical testing and paperwork burden for more than 80,000 pilots, making it easier and more affordable to fly. The AOPA Foundation’s high school curriculum has helped more than 130,000 high school students discover opportunities and prepare for careers in aviation.
With AOPA’s help, there are more pilots flying. Now we need those pilots to become members and help us amplify the message that general aviation is good for America. To get those pilots on board, we need to earn their trust and safeguard yours. That means being transparent and accountable. That’s why we’re instituting changes to the way the organization is governed. We’re updating our bylaws to reflect best practices and give you a bigger voice. And we’re focusing on bringing in board members who have critical skills that support our work and our mission.
When it comes to advocacy, AOPA has something special you won’t find anywhere else. We have a dedicated team, based in Washington, D.C., and across the country, that spends every moment of every day standing up for GA. Some of these people have spent decades working in state houses, on Capitol Hill, and in government agencies before joining us. They know the legislators, the regulators, and the decision makers at every level of government. And they know how to get things done, whether that means raising a ruckus or working quietly behind the scenes.
As acting co-presidents, Jill Baker and I are working closely with the board of trustees and the entire staff to strengthen AOPA for the fights ahead. We can only succeed with your help. Get involved, share your feedback, and tell your friends why they should join, too. It will take all of us to future-proof GA. 
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