A coalition of general aviation groups including AOPA urged town officials in Chatham, Massachusetts, to disapprove a voter-backed bylaw that seeks to limit aircraft wingspan at the town airport.
AOPA urged Massachusetts lawmakers to back a tax exemption for privately owned airports that allow public use, noting the important benefits the owners provide by allowing public use are "easy to take for granted."
AOPA called on members in Washington state to oppose legislation approved March 29 by the state Senate that would apply a 10-percent luxury tax on the value (or market value) of noncommercial aircraft sold or leased, starting at $500,000.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an extension of the state’s sales tax exemption for aircraft maintenance into law on March 19. As a result, most aircraft owners will continue to save hundreds of dollars per year through June 30, 2030.
A bill drafted by longtime AOPA member and newly elected Montana state Rep. Shane Klakken (R-Grass Range) would limit the use of ADS-B data to assess fees on certain aircraft. The measure would prohibit the use of ADS-B data to assess landing fees on aircraft flown under Part 91 that weigh up to 9,000 pounds.
Legislation that would exempt all aircraft from Connecticut's sales and use tax needs support from pilots to avoid the fate of similar measures introduced only to die in committee in recent years.
With Virginia's aircraft maintenance sales and use tax exemption due to expire in July, AOPA urged members to contact their representatives and support legislation to remove the end date.
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.
On November 5, the voters of Pitkin County, Colorado, wisely chose to keep decision making regarding operations and development of Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field in the hands of county commissioners rather than subject to voter approval.
With Virginia's hard-won exemption on aircraft maintenance sales and use tax set to expire, AOPA is once again working with the Virginia Aviation Business Association to marshal support for a permanent exemption to keep the commonwealth competitive.
Despite advice from the FAA and AOPA that a proposed residential development is “incompatible” with the nearby airport environment, the city of Longmont, Colorado, Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for the project.
Contract negotiations surrounding the future of Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field in Colorado have been largely concealed from local aeronautical users at the field—frustrating those who will be significantly impacted if unable to convey the implications of decisions made in the final contract.
A bill approving a general aviation license plate was signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 27. Now, the dedicated Florida aviators who designed the plate to support aviation scholarships are promoting it for presale.
The future of Santa Monica Municipal Airport hangs in the balance as the struggle between the city and airport supporters (including local pilots and aviation industry groups) continues. Amid calls for development, recent community engagement meetings have shown strong support for maintaining and investing in the airport.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed H.B.557 and S.B.574 into law, extending a sales tax exemption on aircraft parts through June 30, 2030. AOPA and the Maryland Aviation Council worked together to gain the extension for an additional five years, which will help keep airports and maintenance jobs in the state competitive.
Organized by the Alaska Airmen's Association—a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 with a mission to protect, preserve, and promote general aviation in Alaska—the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is the largest annual aviation event held in the state.
Changes are coming to Ohio’s Cincinnati Municipal Airport/Lunken Field that will impact flight schools, based and transient aircraft owners, corporate aviation, and FBOs. AOPA is working with local partners to ensure general aviation and the robust aviation community are protected.
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.
Pilots from across California rallied to defend Oceano County Airport after increased scrutiny from local opponents threatened its survival. The success of these efforts proves how vital community support can be when elected officials assess the impact of an airport.
The Maryland Aviation Council (MAC) is working with AOPA to improve conditions for pilots in the state through an extension on tax exemption legislation and a pilot survey.
With assistance from AOPA, airport tenants in Wisconsin have launched the Greater Milwaukee General Aviation Association (GMGAA) to facilitate improved communication with airports, elected officials, and the greater community.
With assistance from AOPA, airport tenants in Wisconsin have launched the Greater Milwaukee General Aviation Association (GMGAA) to facilitate improved communication with airports, elected officials, and the greater community.
While the FAA offers extensive guidance for airport administration policy, particularly in terms of airport compliance, all too often there is much left to interpretation by both airport sponsors and airport users.
Thanks to efforts from passionate AOPA members in Florida, a general aviation specialty license plate will soon be available for purchase—with proceeds supporting aviation education scholarships in the state.
As a Colorado bill works through committee, AOPA and aviation advocacy organizations are promoting an amendment that will mitigate the negative impacts it would have on the aviation industry.
Legislation to make permanent a tax exemption that helps aviation businesses compete, and thus creates jobs, could be in peril, so AOPA asked members living in key legislative districts in Maryland to speak up.
AOPA is advising on updates and needed changes to the Michigan Aeronautics Code, as well as suggesting reasonable and comparable pricing for aircraft registration fees.
Notwithstanding the lack of detectable lead in air and surface samples taken in three Colorado communities near Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in 2023 (findings that came to light only after pilots obtained the reports via freedom of information requests), the legislature is now considering a nakedly anti-aviation bill that AOPA will vigorously oppose.