What has AOPA accomplished

[Sabremech]

I'm a non AOPA member flyer. That wasn't one of your choices but most accurately reflects my current status!

 David

[scottfromiowa]

Whatever makes you happy!  I call your ! and raise you a !!

[John Pleisse]

Your $38 hard at work, this morning.

 

A single or two passenger manifest. First shot AOPA tarmack, the second passing by my hangar and the third shot (past my bird) on take off roll, left just short of the tower. Pretty snazzy, eh?

[Marauder]

Your $38 hard at work, this morning.

 

A single or two passenger manifest. First shot AOPA tarmack, the second passing by my hangar and the third shot (past my bird) on take off roll, left just short of the tower. Pretty snazzy, eh?

 

I don't know John... What's wrong with them doing a $1400 hamburger run?

 

Hey... Is that 2013 Ford Super Duty you are in? Got a picture of the new nav in it?

[bonal]

Seems to me that some of us have an issue with the fact AOPA has a citation as its flagship aircraft with the opinion that its extravagant and not grass roots or something. Now just think what the non flying public might think of our tooling around in our fancy Mooney's no one is forcing pilots to be AOPA members its your choice I'm sure those of you that have been members and pilots for a long time may see things as being not like the good old days but man I just started living my dream and I hope to keep it for a good long time. Grass roots is important but if you want to make those jerks in Washington DC pay you any mind you have to bring your A game.

My choice is to stay with AOPA I'm looking forward to attending when they come to southern ca.

[MB65E]

Ok...all for the AOPA! They have helped with legislative actions.... However!!!...I Didn't know its a CJ3. That's a real Jet!!! I thought it was some little CJ or Cj1. That a solid 6pax with gas jet!!! Great airplane, but it's a 5 million dollar Jet!! I didn't know my $40 could ever buy a $5m jet!

Just checked the registrar and it's not registered to the AOPA. All for shell companies, but lets not deny it either...

I don't know...

-Matt

Good thread Dave, tell the folks where you are hello for me.

[N9660M]

Dave, it may not be quite that bad in Japan (I flew and instructed there for three years).  It was an USAF operation, but we flew C172s and were subject to Japanese GA regulations.

 

VFR day and night cross countries were allowed.  You do have to call ahead and get prior permission (PPR) before going to an airport other than your home base.  There is typically a landing fee of around $10.  We provided sight seeing flights, and I did several over downtown Tokyo at night (awesome view).  Several islands that make great $100 hamburger destinations as well.  I did see a few JA registered GA airplanes at various airports, but only a tiny fraction of what you see in the US.  As I recall, renting a C172 at a Japanese FBO was about $300 an hour, so many aspiring professional pilots come to the US for pilot training.  There are far fewer airports.  Airspace still utilizes the old Terminal Control Zone, Airport Traffic Area, control zones, etc... that we had in the US until many years ago.  In general their aviation is regulated much like ours.

 

The only really disconcerting aspect for me was the communications in congested airspace.  The controllers would talk to me in English, but everyone else in Japanese.  The frequencies would be busy, but I had no idea what was going on around me (my fault for not learning to speak the language).  You'd be surprised how much you miss the situational awareness you build listening to the radio.

 

This was all about nine years ago, but unless things have changed drastically, it's not all that bad.  That said, it definitely does make you appreciate what we have in the US.  And the organizations like AOPA that fight to keep the GA opportunities we enjoy.

 

Take care - Jim

[aviatoreb]

Did the AOPA go out and buy its airplanes?  Any of its airplanes?  I would not be surprised if some or all of them were donated.  One of their capital campaigns tries to encourage people to donate their old airplanes, and they suggest that they may keep some of them, and that some of them they may sell for the proceeds into the nonprofit coffers.  I suspect that is where at least some of their airplanes come from.  Could be that even the CJ3 is somebodies "old" airplane that they donated.

[Marauder]

When old Phil showed up with the Citation I seem to remember his comments in the President's column of the mag justififying the purchase based on the need to travel to see us. It is an image problem. They represent themselves as advocates of GA. How many of your GA friends own a twin engine jet? They would have served their image better if they went with a prop plane. Heck, even a turboprop.

Based on what you wrote, they should sell the jet and donate the proceeds to the GA fund...

Sent from my overpriced iPad using Tapatalk

[John Pleisse]

Did the AOPA go out and buy its airplanes?  Any of its airplanes?  I would not be surprised if some or all of them were donated.  One of their capital campaigns tries to encourage people to donate their old airplanes, and they suggest that they may keep some of them, and that some of them they may sell for the proceeds into the nonprofit coffers.  I suspect that is where at least some of their airplanes come from.  Could be that even the CJ3 is somebodies "old" airplane that they donated.

 

I agree, but even so, Erik, let's say they didn't spend a dime and all the capital on their books is something else, we know where the real expense in jet operation is.

[BrianBest]

This isn't an accomplishment yet, but I like the idea.

 

 

AOPA is asking the FAA to rescind its new training standards for the instrument rating and allow students to log more simulator time. The agency recently revised its standards to reduce the number of simulator hours that could be logged for aspiring instrument pilots. But AOPA and other aviation advocacy groups say simulators are an effective and cost-efficient way for students to learn.

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/January/13/AOPA-asks-FAA-to-rescind-new-training-standards.aspx?CMP=ADV%3A1

[PTK]

Last straw. According to Propwash's newsletter, AOPA chose to schedule one of their new regional meetings on Yom Kippur. They knew the date was in conflict, and went ahead anyway. How would most folk like it if AOPA chose Christmas Day or Easter Sunday for a regional meeting, in spite of protests. To me it is a disrespect and I no longer care to be associated with such an organization ( after over 30 + years of membership, and support of their air safety foundation).

Bennett, with all due respect, I hope you'd reconsider your decision.  

 

I wouldn't sacrifice my membership to AOPA over when they decide to have their meetings! Really?!

 

This is nitpicking IMO!

[DaV8or]

Dave, it may not be quite that bad in Japan (I flew and instructed there for three years).  It was an USAF operation, but we flew C172s and were subject to Japanese GA regulations.

 

VFR day and night cross countries were allowed.  You do have to call ahead and get prior permission (PPR) before going to an airport other than your home base.  There is typically a landing fee of around $10.  We provided sight seeing flights, and I did several over downtown Tokyo at night (awesome view).  Several islands that make great $100 hamburger destinations as well.  I did see a few JA registered GA airplanes at various airports, but only a tiny fraction of what you see in the US.  As I recall, renting a C172 at a Japanese FBO was about $300 an hour, so many aspiring professional pilots come to the US for pilot training.  There are far fewer airports.  Airspace still utilizes the old Terminal Control Zone, Airport Traffic Area, control zones, etc... that we had in the US until many years ago.  In general their aviation is regulated much like ours.

 

The only really disconcerting aspect for me was the communications in congested airspace.  The controllers would talk to me in English, but everyone else in Japanese.  The frequencies would be busy, but I had no idea what was going on around me (my fault for not learning to speak the language).  You'd be surprised how much you miss the situational awareness you build listening to the radio.

 

This was all about nine years ago, but unless things have changed drastically, it's not all that bad.  That said, it definitely does make you appreciate what we have in the US.  And the organizations like AOPA that fight to keep the GA opportunities we enjoy.

 

Take care - Jim

 

I can't find it now, but what I wrote comes from memory of a report by the Japanese branch of AOPA. It may have been in the AOPA magazines. I wish I could find it now. It may have been describing flying realities for the average Japanese person. I do remember it was really focused on ultra lights and light sport type aircraft because that is what is average people there can afford to fly. It probably was pointing out the restrictions these types of aircraft have. I guess it's probably like anywhere in the world, if you have enough money and tenacity, you can fly. Also, the US military gets away with and have special privileges for things in Japan that ordinary Japanese citizens do not.

 

Anyhow, you were there, you would know. I'm just regurgitating a magazine article from several years ago by memory. I still maintain that conditions for private pilots in other countries is all the inspiration one needs to support AOPA. When we all travel abroad, we should stop in a local airports (if we're allowed) and ask around what it's like to fly in that country. It's educational and make you glad to live here.

[aviatoreb]

I agree, but even so, Erik, let's say they didn't spend a dime and all the capital on their books is something else, we know where the real expense in jet operation is.

 

For sure, no doubt.