AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2017 - 6

PRESIDENT'S POSITION

True to type

BY MARK BAKER
AOPA President and CEO

Connect with like-minded pilots
I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE to fly many different airplanes
through the years. Some of them I've even had the privilege of owning, from high-performance airplanes to
my very favorite-a 1953 Super Cub on wheels, floats,
or skis, according to the season. For me, and many
others, owning and operating an airplane is both a
commitment and a joy.
The joy is obvious: Who wouldn't want a time
machine that can get you from A to B faster than you
can get to your nearest commercial airport? Or, in the
case of the Super Cub, a machine that can take you low
and slow to pristine lakes or backcountry runways that
few people are lucky enough to experience.
That joy is why we fly. The commitment is how we
fly. To fly safely, wisely, and knowledgeably, we have to

Type clubs are repositories of deep knowledge
about the aircraft they represent. They are
keepers of our shared aviation history.

AOPA President
MARK BAKER

has owned a
Cessna 177 Cardinal, V-tail Beechcraft Bonanzas and
Barons, a Model 36
Bonanza, and more.

6 | AOPA PILOT February 2017

be committed to staying proficient, keeping up with the
latest regulations, and understanding the quirks of the
airplanes we fly and own. And that's where we need a
partner or two to help us live up to that commitment.
Obviously, I believe AOPA is a critical partner for
any pilot, no matter what you fly-with safety programs,
advocacy, news, flight planning, insurance, financing,
and so much more, there's no place you'll find more tools
to help you manage and enjoy your flying. But for me,
there's one more group that should be part of any aircraft
owner's commitment to flying, and that's the type club.
Through the years I've belonged to many type clubs,
and I've spent time visiting and speaking with even
more. In just the past couple of years I've visited the
International 180/185 Club, the Lake Amphibian Club,
American Bonanza Society, Cirrus Owners and Pilots
Association, Cessna 150-152 Club, North American
Trainer Association, Citation Jet Pilots, TBM Owners
and Pilots Association, and Pilatus Owners and Pilots
Association, among others. And as both a member and
a guest I am always impressed.
Type clubs are repositories of deep knowledge about
the aircraft they represent. They are keepers of our shared
aviation history. Type clubs are also the collectors of data,
statistics, and other information specific to their aircraft.

Type clubs play a huge role in safety, working closely
with the FAA to ensure the continuing safety of the fleet
and often playing a big part in the development of airworthiness directives for their aircraft. Many type clubs
also have newsletters, magazines, or other publications
in which they provide safety information and updates.
And some, like the American Bonanza Society and the
Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association, offer type-specific proficiency programs.
In short, type clubs know and understand their airplanes like no one else, and their members are more
than willing to share that knowledge with you and me.
Type clubs are also tremendous community centers. It will probably come as no surprise to hear me
say that pilots who choose to own and fly the same type
of airplane often have a lot in common. If you're part of
the American Waco Club, chances are you enjoy feeling the wind in your face and are doing the majority of
your flying-at least in that airplane-for pleasure. If
you belong to the TBM Owners and Pilots Association,
your mission might be quite different. Either way,
you're sure to find like-minded pilots with whom to
spend time and talk flying.
Many type clubs hold social and educational gatherings, whether that's a monthly seminar, quarterly
barbecue, or annual convention. And lots of them join
in other community-building events, such as the AOPA
Fly-Ins. In my experience, type clubs are welcoming
places full of folks who share the love of a particular airplane, so if you're transitioning to a new make or model,
even if you don't own one, they can be a great way to
connect to other pilots who've been there and done
that. And, like most pilots, type club members are often
happy to offer advice or share their own experiences.
I've made great friends and obtained potentially
life-saving information through every type club I've
ever joined. Often, those ties are so strong that I stay
involved with a type club even after I'm no longer flying that particular airplane. If you own an airplane, are
thinking about buying one, or just fly a given make and
model regularly, check out its type club. You, too, might
discover a whole new world of pilots, knowledge, and
experience to make your flying safer, more fun, and
more affordable.
AOPA
EMAIL mark@aopa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2017