AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2011 - 4

PRESIDENT’SPOSITION

BY CRAIG FULLER
AOPA PRESIDENT

For the fun of flying

s we approach the 2011 holiday season, there is much for which I am grateful and plenty to consider as we prepare for a new year.

Foundation has received commitments of $24 million for the vital support it gives in four areas: Enhancing the perception of GA; continue growing the pilot population; preserving our airports; and funding the work of the AOPA Air Safety Institute. To all of this, I must add the gratitude we should all have in experiencing another year as a nation that recognizes the freedom to fly. For me this is a rather special year because, while I have flown GA aircraft for more than 40 years, this is the first At this moment in time we have no new general year I have owned and flown an aircraft for just the aviation user fees—despite the efforts of some to pure fun of flying. AOPA President impose them during the heat of the federal budFrom the start, more than half my flying time Craig Fuller get debate. The House and Senate general aviation was focused on transportation—getting me where recently acquired caucuses are two of the largest in Congress and I needed to be. Whether it’s my Bonanza or a line of a 1998 Aviat offer considerable support for the general aviation Cessnas I’ve flown, personal travel took a back seat Husky, N24HU. community. Many governors and local officials also to business-related transportation needs. have registered their strong support of GA throughThat changed this year with the welcome out the year, and for the second year in a row we have seen no addition of a good-as-new 1998 Aviat Husky. I enjoyed the challenge of adapting to a new type of aircraft and getting new state taxes imposed on GA. When it comes to communication, we share more informa- comfortable with the tailwheel experience. The dividend has tion with you, our members, in more ways than ever before. been to have an aircraft I can just go out and fly for fun. And And, you’ve shown your interest in some of our recent inno- that is exactly what we did recently when we took the AOPA vations with more than 2 million “plays” of AOPA Live video sweepstakes airplane, the Tougher Than a Tornado Husky, into segments in the past 24 months. More than 300,000 members New England to do some autumn photography. I tagged along receive ePilot once a week and more than 200,000 individuals in my Husky for three days of the most enjoyable and relaxing subscribe to AOPA’s Aviation eBrief, which comes out five days flying I’ve had in a long time! (See “The Maine Event,” page 60.) a week. The new digital editions of the magazines are gainJust a word about next year. We are getting ready for an exciting and important national ing momentum, with close to 16,000 of you having already signed up for the digital edition of AOPA Pilot, Flight Training, election. All 435 members of the House of Representatives, oneor both. And, our social media channels are frequented by tens third of the U.S. Senate, and the president are up for election. of thousands of aviation enthusiasts. We plan to participate in both national political convenWe are also gratified that, under the leadership of Bruce tions where thousands of federal, state, and local officials Landsberg, our AOPA Foundation is enjoying strong support gather. We also plan to be active in town hall meetings with from members like you. Since its launch in 2008, the AOPA candidates. I urge you to be active as well. Let those who are asking for your vote know you are asking for their support. We in general aviation compete with many other interests that come to the desks of our elected officials. We must let them know how valuable GA is to communities across the nation and to each of us as individual voters. We will talk more about the importance of this election throughout 2012 and how you can make a difference. Most important, let your elected officials know about the issues you will judge them by when you enter the voting booth. Early primaries are just weeks away, so make sure you are registered and make sure to vote. In the meantime, to one and all, please enjoy the holidays. Let’s all count our many blessings and find ways to appreciate a freedom to enjoy flying that is unique in the world! Email AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa.org.

BOB KNILL

AOPA PILOT •

4 • DECEMBER

2011

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2011