AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 8
PRESIDENT 'S POSITION
Cherish your
freedom to fly
A defining moment that forever changed
everything
BY MARK BAKER / President and CEO
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, is a day that I will never forget. Watching
the morning news over a bowl of cereal, I was planning my
flight to Chicago for an afternoon meeting. Suddenly, everything
changed. The memories of the events from that day still
haunt many who watched the horrible aerial siege in real-time.
A memory now, but one painted so vividly, it's hard to believe
20 years have gone by.
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were a defining moment in history
that forever changed our society and culture. Patriotism
grew like we've never seen in modern times, and with it, a call for
heightened security. In the aftermath of the attacks, our nation's
first and foremost duty was to protect its citizens-ensuring that
our country and people were safe. And with that, ensuring our
skies were safe.
While parts of the world may not be much safer
after 20 years, we should be proud that we have
worked very hard to keep our skies safer than ever.
Within hours the world's busiest, most complex airspace
system went quiet. Watching the live flight map that morning
was incredibly unsettling.
In the days and weeks following 9/11, the future of aviation-
especially the future of general aviation-remained uncertain.
Even after commercial traffic was cleared to resume, GA
remained grounded. Top government officials considered undue
restrictions and limitations on GA, leaving a large population
of safe and conscientious pilots left to defend themselves from
government overreach. General aviation never had an argument
against safety and security; it was one against unnecessary
bureaucracy. There needed to be a proper balance.
In what can only be described as controlled chaos, AOPA
worked around the clock alongside the Department of Defense,
the FAA, and other security stakeholders to get GA off the
ground. Slowly and incrementally, we reclaimed our freedom
to fly (see " The Day Aviation Stood Still, " p. 66).
8
AOPA PILOT / September 2021
Reflecting on those dark days 20 years later, I am amazed at
what we were able to accomplish. It's made me more cognizant
and appreciative of the freedoms we still have. Our industry has
worked hard over the past two decades with a vested interest in
keeping the skies safe-not only from threats, but by being the
safest pilots we can be. Safety wears many hats.
Some of our most important security initiatives grew from a
post-9/11 world. In 2003, our AOPA Airport Watch program was
established by AOPA in coordination with the Transportation
Security Administration, which uses more than 600,000 pilots as
the eyes and ears for reporting suspicious activity at airports. The
program has been a significant model for educating security agencies
and government officials on the value of partnering with GA.
Unfortunately, increased security came with consequences
for GA. Fences, badges, and new restrictions at some airports
weren't exactly the welcoming environment pilots want for
newcomers or our neighboring communities (see " GA Under
Siege, " p. 68). But fighting to ensure a vibrant future for GA has
been part of AOPA's mission since its founding in 1939. That
didn't fall to the wayside.
To confront these challenges, we had to try harder to break
down barriers to entry and make aviation more accessible and
affordable. From introducing young students to our high school
aviation STEM curriculum and awarding a range of scholarships,
to helping pilots start flying clubs and bringing pilots back
through our Rusty Pilot program, we've made progress in fueling
a passion for GA. We know that we are stronger in numbers.
For the first time in decades, the number of pilots is increasing.
On this anniversary we will relive and remember the tales
of heroism, tragedy, and resilience that tested us as Americans.
As a nation, we will always have our guard up, and while parts
of the world may not be much safer 20 years later, we should
be proud that we have worked very hard to keep our skies safer
than ever. We are lucky to
live in a country where this
freedom is protected and
preserved. Let's always
make sure we cherish this
freedom to fly.
mark@aopa.org
AOPA President
MARK BAKER is a
commercial pilot with singleand
multiengine land and
seaplane ratings, and a
rotorcraft rating.
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021
Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 10
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 20
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 22
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 24
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 26
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 28
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 30
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 32
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 34
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 50
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 58
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 81
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 83
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 86
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 87
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 91
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 92
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 94
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 95
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 96
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 97
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 98
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 100
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 102
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 104
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 106
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 107
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 108
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 112
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - 113
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2021 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103_test
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011demo
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot0308
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com