Legislation introduced in Congress, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, seeks to address growing concerns about the misuse of ADS-B, which has been increasingly used to collect fees from pilots.
I had the opportunity and privilege several days ago to advocate on behalf of AOPA members before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Aviation Subcommittee on Capitol Hill.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 11 passed the bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) against domestic businesses, including entities created to hold ownership of aircraft, while the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency of the Treasury, announced an extension of the current reporting deadline.
The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure held a hearing March 4 focused on modernizing air traffic control equipment and hiring more controllers, while dismissing calls for privatizing ATC services.
A coalition of 34 aviation organizations (including AOPA) called on leaders of Congress to support long-deferred air traffic control modernization and continue hiring and training controllers and other key staff.
AOPA asked acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau to stop allowing ADS-B data to be used "for frivolous lawsuits, questionable enforcement actions, and the collection of airport landing fees."
A pair of final rules posted January 17 cleared the FAA to accept electronic documents with aircraft registration applications, and to issue electronic certificates.
AOPA advocates in the halls of Congress and across the nation to keep general aviation accessible to all. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished in 2024.
There is never a dull moment in the halls of Congress, as you can imagine, but I don’t believe I have seen a more “interesting” time in politics. And with the presidential election right around the corner, I hope you will exercise your fundamental right to vote.
On July 16, a coalition of aviation industry stakeholders submitted a letter to aviation leaders in Congress requesting a strengthened investment in modernizing the FAA’s air traffic control system.
AOPA and the aviation industry celebrate the long-awaited passage of the five-year FAA bill, which authorizes an increase in funding for general aviation airports, expands BasicMed, modernizes FAA systems, and much more.
Dozens of elected officials across the United States have issued formal declarations celebrating general aviation in honor of the National Celebration of General Aviation D.C. Flyover—which coincides with AOPA’s eighty-fifth anniversary.
AOPA President Mark Baker will be the 2024 recipient of the Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence in recognition of his fierce leadership and passionate commitment to general aviation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, led by Chair Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), passed the FAA reauthorization with a host of amendments that address operations across the entire aviation system, from commercial air travel to general aviation.
AOPA sent a call to action to its 300,000 members on February 7, urging them to support an amendment that would ensure pilots have access to fair, reasonable, and transparent fees at public-use airports.
Special event fees at Las Vegas valley airports are reaching astronomical heights ahead of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18. AOPA is looking into the how and why of this disturbing trend, working with the Clark County aviation management, the FAA, pilots, and advocacy groups to ensure this doesn’t become standard practice across the country.
Michael Whitaker, President Joe Biden’s nominee for FAA administrator, faced a range of questions from members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee during a confirmation hearing on October 4.
In a September 13 letter to Senate leadership, AOPA and 27 other organizations asked for movement on two major initiatives currently awaiting congressional approval: FAA reauthorization and confirmation on the nomination of an FAA administrator.
The 2023 House FAA reauthorization bill (H.R.3935) passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a 351–69 vote on July 20 with promising provisions for general aviation pilots.
While AOPA’s effort to see an amendment included in the 2023 House FAA reauthorization bill may have been thwarted by airport associations, FBOs, and others, AOPA and the pilot community will continue the fight against those who want to continue to impose egregious and unnecessary fees on GA pilots.
Markups for the 2023 FAA reauthorization bills begin this week, and language from both the House and the Senate is pointing to the most forward-thinking FAA legislation in history in support of general aviation.
Legislation that would establish a task force on improving notices to air missions—and require the FAA to develop and implement a new notam system—is headed to the president's desk.