Flight Training - March 2011 - 4

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

By Craig Fuller

AOPA SERVICES
THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION is general aviation's advocate and the largest, most influential aviation association in the world.

COME JOIN THE FUN

GETTING TOGETHER TO GROW GA

INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO FLY? Visit AOPA’s engaging website for people who want to know more about what’s involved in learning to fly—and what it’s like. www.LetsGoFlying.com RESOURCES FOR STUDENT PILOTS Ask an AOPA CFI | ft.aopa.org/ask Flight Training article archive | ft.aopa.org/archive Aviation library | ft.aopa.org/library Supplemental training information | ft.aopa.org/student Virtual flight bag, including online weather and airport directory | ft.aopa.org/flightbag PILOT INFORMATION CENTER Members can receive answers to flight training and other aviation questions, and join or renew by telephone, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday | 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Via the Internet | ft.aopa.org/ask AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE ONLINE SAFETY CENTER Dedicated to providing general aviation pilot education and safety programs online. Via the Internet | www.airsafetyinstitute.org Call | 800-638-3101 AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS AOPA Aircraft Financing Program | 800-62-PLANE AOPA Aircraft Insurance Program | 800-622-AOPA Non-owned aircraft and CFI policies available AOPA Credit Card Program | 800-523-7666 AOPA Legal Services Plan | 800-USA-AOPA AOPA Foundation | 800-955-9115 Other products | 800-USA-AOPA ONLINE GUIDE TO AOPA MEMBER SERVICES To join or renew, or for information about AOPA membership, e-mail inforequest@aopa.org or Visit the website | www.aopa.org/join NEW ADDRESS? Send your new address and membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701 Fax | 301-695-2375 Via the Internet | www.aopa.org/coa-form.html

hen you’re a student pilot, visiting a new airport can be both exciting and fear inducing. But as you gain experience and become more comfortable with your skills, going to new airports can be one of the most fun things about flying.
May 26–Texas Aviation Conference, Austin, Texas. GA is a great way to get around this enormous state, and this event is great opportunity to meet pilots, GA users, and state transportation officials all in one place. July 8-9–Wing Nuts Flying Circus and Fly-In, Tarkio, Missouri. House of Representatives GA Caucus co-chairman, AOPA member, and avid pilot Rep. Sam Graves hosts this grassroots aviation event in the heart of America. July 12–Wichita Aero Club, Wichita, Kansas. This event midway through the year will be a good time to take stock of the first half of 2011 and discuss what the rest of the year promises politically and economically. July 25-31–EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This can’t-miss event is one I look forward to all year. The whole AOPA team will be on hand to celebrate the fun and diversity of general aviation. September 22-24–AOPA Aviation Summit, Hartford, Connecticut. This will be a wonderful venue, both at the Convention Hall and at the Hartford-Brainard Airport where AirportFest will occur. Please mark your calendars and join all of us at AOPA for our annual event. October 10-12–NBAA, Las Vegas, Nevada. There’s no better place to see everything that business aviation has to offer. And, of course, I’ll be hosting numerous AOPA Town Hall meetings throughout the year. I hope to see you there as we renew our excitement about aviation and “Rally GA!”
E-mail AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa. org.

There’s always someplace new to explore, new pilots to meet, and new hangar stories to hear. In fact, having the opportunity to visit new airports across the country and meet with the pilots who fly there is one of the best parts of my job as AOPA president. As I travel, I discover new perspectives, gain new insights, and hear new ideas from AOPA members who come out to the many events I participate in each year. I want to put all that energy to work for GA by meeting with as many people as possible—student pilots, flight instructors, certificated pilots, and even those who are just thinking about flying. It’s all part of our effort to “Rally GA” in 2011. Here are some of the events I will be participating in throughout 2011. We are always adding to the schedule, so this list will grow, but for now, I encourage you to “pencil in” some time to get connected by taking part in as many of these events as your schedule allows. February 24-26–International Women in Aviation Conference, Reno, Nevada. Meet fellow students, experienced instructors, professional pilots, military aviators, aviation mechanics, and pros from just about every part of the aviation spectrum. February 26–Northwest Aviation Conference, Puyallup, Washington. This is an enthusiastic audience of general aviation pilots, and a great place for me to elaborate on this year’s “Rally GA” theme. March 5-8–Heli-Expo, Orlando, Florida. If you fly helicopters, or just dream of giving it a try, there’s no better place to be. March 29-April 3—Sun ’n Fun, Lakeland, Florida. This is a show that brings all of general aviation together to enjoy, and the AOPA team will be there in force.

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http://www.LetsGoFlying.com http://ft.aopa.org/ask http://ft.aopa.org/archive http://ft.aopa.org/library http://ft.aopa.org/student http://ft.aopa.org/flightbag http://ft.aopa.org/ask http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopa.org/join http://www.aopa.org/coa-form.html http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - March 2011

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