AOPA 2007 Safety and Philanthropy Report

ASF BOARD OF VISITORS: CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE As Phil Boyer noted at the beginning of this year’s report, GA is filled with transitions. And this year marks one for me also as I conclude my tenure as chairman of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Board of Visitors. For more than 10 years I have had the privilege of serving AOPA members in this role. I am honored to be handing the controls this year over to my esteemed colleague Russ Meyer. Now Chairman Emeritus of Cessna Aircraft Company, Russ has given leadership to some of the most successful innovations in GA. Please join me in welcoming him aboard as the new chairman of the Board of Visitors. As I end my role as chairman I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg and his very capable staff. They have helped make ASF one of the most important flight-safety organizations in the world. I am very confident saying that the future of ASF is in good hands! And finally, to all AOPA members, I wish many happy landings. Fly safe! David Hinson, Chairman Former FAA Administrator ASF: NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIRMEN As co-chairs of the Development Committee for the AOPA Air Safety Foundation we say to you, “Thank you very much for your record support!” Last year raised the revenue bar even higher, to more than $7 million in contributions from AOPA members. That’s a big reason why GA continues to become safer. We are proud that AOPA members contribute by renewing and increasing their donations, small and large. This spirit continues to the Hat in the Ring Society, the prestigious AOPA President’s Council, and our highly regarded ATPs (AOPA Top Philanthropists). Especially exciting is that we now have more than 1,000 AOPA Life Members. Through surveys and questionnaires we have heard your feedback in a number of areas. We know that instead of cute thank-you gifts you prefer useful aviation information. These surveys have also reinforced the value that you find in our live safety seminars as well as the online courses. We have clearly heard how much you value the exclusive focus that the AOPA Air Safety Foundation brings to GA safety education. We also have learned that you are concerned about the public’s erroneous impressions of GA, the decline in the number of pilots, especially student pilots, and the threats to GA airports. Late this year you will hear more about a new foundation and a major new fundraising initiative. Driven by member input and to be funded through new charitable donations, The AOPA Foundation will add fuel to AOPA’s efforts to further address these concerns. “Giving back” is a consistent theme that we hear from members who generously support ASF. In this Safety and Philanthropy Report we profile a number of pilotphilanthropists whose passion to fly combined with their generosity to ensure GA’s future exemplifies the giving back spirit of GA pilots. Hal Shevers, James Ray, Jim Hagedorn, Glenn Plymate, and Rick Schwartz are role models for each and every one of us who share our passion. Giving back is a value both of us have been taught through our family’s dedication to philanthropy. Like you, we bring this desire to give back to aviation. Supporting our passion and freedom to fly has never felt more rewarding. Thomas W. Haas and Lessing S. Stern, Co-chairmen, Philanthropy 13

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