AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2018 - 15

2018 ELECTION UPDATE

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GA supporters in Congress
Russell and Abraham recognize GA's key issues
BY JIM COON

SINCE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF
2016, much has happened in Washington,

D.C., that affects general aviation. At the
forefront was a nearly two-year battle
against the airlines, which were seeking
to control our nation's air traffic system.
Thankfully, AOPA was successful in defeating this misguided proposal, which would
not have sped up the modernization of our
air traffic control system or fixed delays in
the system that are mainly caused by airline
scheduling and weather events.
It was one of the toughest battles
and biggest threats ever to general aviation. While this battle is now behind
us, we are looking forward to advancing
our aviation system for all users.
We also worked closely with Sen. Jim
Inhofe (R-Okla.) and others to secure
passage of legislation that created the
implementation of BasicMed, and in
just more than one year there are 40,000
pilots using the new program. We believe
this is one of the most significant and positive reforms for general aviation pilots
in decades.
It was the engagement of our AOPA
members and our experienced advocacy
team working with our strongest allies
in Congress that made these efforts successful. This hard work has been noticed and
AOPA has been named one of the top 50
advocacy associations in Washington, D.C.
As the 2018 midterm elections
approach, it's worth noting some of general aviation's most active supporters in
Congress. AOPA is effective on Capitol

HONORED AT THE R.A. "Bob" Hoover Trophy Awards were Rep. Todd Rokita, Rep. Ralph
Abraham, actor Harrison Ford, Rep. Steve Russell, and Rep. Ron Estes, with aerobatic
pilot Sean D. Tucker and AOPA President Mark Baker.

Hill because legislators know that our can count on in Congress, but over the past
members are engaged in the political year Russell and Abraham stood out and led
process and feel strongly about issues the charge against giving ATC away to the
important to aviation.
airlines," said AOPA President Mark Baker.
At the 2018 R.A. "Bob" Hoover Trophy
Russell was first elected to Congress
Awards, AOPA honored members of from the fifth congressional district in
Congress who work on the key issues that Oklahoma, which includes Oklahoma
matter to pilots. Two congressmen in par- City. He spent 21 years of his career in the
ticular, Reps. Steve Russell (R-Okla.) and U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq and
Ralph Abraham (R-La.), were recognized Afghanistan. A pilot and a member of the
for their work on behalf of pilots, espe- House General Aviation Caucus, Russell
cially their opposition to the so-called has been instrumental in supporting GA
privatization of air traffic control. Both causes and supporting ways to address
stood up and opposed the controversial proposal. Like all
Every vote counts-
11/6/2018
protect and defend
members of the House, they
your right to fly with
both are up for reelection.
a vote for those who
"There are a number of
support GA.
loyal supporters that aviation

Get out
and vote

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2018
