AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2022 - 6

PRESIDENT 'S POSITION
Giving of our time
Wishing a happy birthday to the Airport
Support Network
BY MARK BAKER / President and CEO
MOST OF US were introduced to this wonderful thing called flying
by someone who went out of their way to take us on an airplane ride,
share their wonderful passion, and ignite a spark in us. It was someone
who wasn't forced to do so, wasn't paid to do so, and asked for
nothing in return. All in the spirit of paying it forward in the hope
that, someday, we would do the same. Which many of us have.
This is the true definition of a volunteer-someone who on
their own time and dime goes out of their way to brighten the
day of someone else and make a positive impact on a community.
Americans are very giving of their time. According to a 2018
study by the Corporation for National and Community Service,
nearly 80 million of us volunteered some of our time in the preceding
year (totaling about 6 billion hours). Let me put that number
into another context: The annual workplace value of Americans'
volunteer time was more than $167 billion.
Quite often, someone who doesn't appreciate
general aviation simply doesn't know what we're all
about, and the contributions we make.
This spirit of sharing is evident in general aviation. Countless
men and women give of their time every day to bring more people
into our fold, spread the gospel of aviation, and protect our
freedom to fly.
This is a special year for AOPA when it comes to volunteers. 2022
marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of our AOPA Airport Support
Network. Under the leadership of Vice President for Airports and
State Advocacy Mike Ginter and his talented group of regional managers,
the ASN program and its web of volunteers serve as our early
warning system for airport issues in all regions and states.
We entered 2022 with more than 2,000 volunteers and I cannot
thank them enough. They are truly our first-line defense
against those who do not understand or appreciate the value of
our more than 5,000 public-use local airports-they engage locally
to promote and protect their airports. Our ASN volunteers know
very well that GA in this nation supports our economy to the tune
of $247 billion per year and provides for more than 1.2 million jobs.
The GA world is facing unprecedented threats across the country.
Local airports in California, Florida, and New York-just to
6
AOPA PILOT / February 2022
name a few-are in the crosshairs of those who would wish to do
GA harm. If you fly there, or in many other places across America,
you probably have felt the evil eye of these naysayers.
But our ASN volunteers do what they do not in the name of
battle, but in the spirit of engagement. They reach out to educate
decision makers and embrace the local community. Yes, things can
get a bit testy on the local level, but our ASN volunteers put forward
a face of cooperation and camaraderie. We know that, quite
often, someone who doesn't appreciate general aviation simply
doesn't know what we're all about, and the contributions we make.
Education is key and job number one.
Our ASN program has a rich history and we have volunteers
who have been with us since day one. I'd like to give a shout-out
to one of our very first volunteers appointed, who is still serving
today. For 25 years, Jim Gates has engaged locally to educate
city council members and protect Zamperini Field in Torrance,
California. Thank you, Jim, and the rest of our ASN volunteers
who truly pay it forward.
If you're intrigued about our Airport Support Network, let me
further break down what our volunteers do on a daily basis:
* Attend airport meetings, report any potential problems, and
help open communications channels.
* Serve as an early warning for questionable operational
restrictions.
* Promote AOPA events and seminars to the local pilot
community.
* Help enhance and promote the local airport to local officials
and the community.
Since the Airport Support Network was founded in 1997, volunteers
have helped AOPA save numerous airports. With your help,
we can log many more ASN success stories and help prevent airport
closures in the United States. If you combine a spirit of volunteerism
and a passion for general aviation, we would love to hear from you.
Become part of the AOPA Airport Support Network in your local
community. Go to aopa.org
and find the Airport Support
Network under " Advocacy, "
or call 800-USA-AOPA.
Blue skies!
mark@aopa.org
AOPA President MARK
BAKER used to ride his
bicycle to the airport as a kid
to check out airplanes and
listen to flying stories.
http://www.aopa.org
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2022

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