AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2015 - 96

SURVEY

66%

of AOPA
members
believe the
political environment is
"not so good" for GA.

News & Notes
MEMBERSHIP

ACTION IN THE STATES

|

State by state
ALABAMA: AOPA Regional Manager
Bob Minter is working with state Rep.
Chris Sells to introduce an amendment
to the Alabama Code that will clarify
liability for private landowners whose
property is used as an airfield or for
aviation activity. ALASKA: The current
version of the Anchorage/Fairbanks
Terminal Area Chart shows redefined
CTAF area frequencies for the
Matanuska and Susitna valleys north of
Anchorage. The new frequencies
change the CTAF assignments of
almost 80 individual airports and
assign frequencies to 36 airports that
didn't have them. ARIZONA: Regional
Manager John Pfeifer discussed the
recent FAA Aviation Fuel Tax Revenue
Policy and its impact on GA with a key
leader from the Arizona Department

You make a difference

of Transportation Aeronautics Group.

ARKANSAS: AOPA President Mark

America's state legislative season has begun-speak up
LAWMAKERS IN ALL 50 STATES are busy

96 | AOPA PILOT March 2015

WEB

www.aopa.org/advocacy

Hall in Bentonville on March 11.

CALIFORNIA: Regional Manager John
Pfeifer met with state senators and
transportation officials to represent
the GA perspective on critical issues,
including aeronautics programs and
funding. COLORADO: Regional
Manager David Ulane represented
AOPA at the Colorado Airport
Operators Association's annual reception in Denver, where he met with
aviation advocates, pilots, airport managers, legislators, and aviation officials.

CONNECTICUT: Regional Manager
Sean Collins met with officials from the
Connecticut Airport Authority at
Groton-New London Airport to discuss
ways to boost competitiveness.

DELAWARE: The Delaware Wing of the
Civil Air Patrol hosts its annual conference at Dover Air Force Base March
28. The event includes educational
seminars for the wing's more than 500

ILLUSTRATION: JOHN HOLM

trying to meet the needs of their constituents, balance their state budgets-and in
the process, fund the programs and projects that are in line with their priorities.
In the midst of these efforts, the interests of different groups and businesses all
will ebb and flow in the tide of legislative
momentum. Throughout the hustle and
bustle, however, a call to a senator or representative from an AOPA member from
their district can bring focus to the needs of
local aviators: AOPA members make a difference. That is why it is so important for
you to engage with your state legislators on
a regular basis, and become familiar with
the lawmakers who are making decisions
affecting your area.
Know your legislator-become familiar with who is representing you, and make
sure they become familiar with you as well.

People are more likely to listen to a friend
than a stranger. Legislators are the same
way-the more familiar they are with you,
the more likely your opinion will influence
their decisions. Contact your legislator
from time to time with a good word or
some update on your business or personal
ventures, rather than contacting your legislator only when you have trouble.
Reach out to your AOPA regional manager if you have questions or concerns.
They often are in contact with the legislative leadership in your state and can help
you communicate and become more familiar with your state's legislative process.
Your AOPA state advocacy team will
impact hundreds of pieces of legislation this year, but it's you who makes a
difference.

Baker will host an AOPA Pilot Town
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2015
