AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 13

AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK /
ON THE FRONT LINES /
ASN
anniversary
events
THE AOPA AIRPORT Support Network,
now with nearly 2,000 volunteers,
has successfully engaged with, promoted,
and protected airports for 25
years. Our news archives are filled
with airport success stories that
highlight the effectiveness of ASN
volunteers such as Jack Tunstill,
who orchestrated the 2003 effort to
save Albert Whitted Airport (SPG)
in St. Petersburg, Florida.
A memorable victory was initiated
by Rick Beech, who alerted
AOPA to the construction of a tall
building near Montgomery-Gibbs
Executive Airport (MYF) in San
Diego, which resulted in a yearslong
court battle and deconstruction
of the top two floors of the building.
Another notable victory was led by
Euel Kinsey in 2005, when he successfully
waged a political and
media campaign against Detroit's
city hall to protect millions in
funding for the Coleman A. Young
Municipal Airport (DET). Recently,
Vicki Hurt organized the effort to
save Midland Airpark (MDD) in
Texas, from redevelopment.
AOPA is celebrating these successes
with special ASN volunteer
events around the country including:
Sun 'n Fun April 5 through 10;
the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
May 6 and 7; Utah Aeronautics
Conference May 9 through 11; at
Sporty's Pilot Shop May 14; EAA
AirVenture July 25 through 31; the
Stihl National Championship Air
Races September 14 through 18;
as well as many others. There will
be two AOPA ASN gatherings in
Dallas and Kansas City, dates to be
announced.
aopa.org/asn
One message,
many voices
By Mike Ginter,
AOPA vice president,
airports and state advocacy
GENERAL AVIATION IS
still under threat at
many airports across
the country, and
these threats inspire
pilots to fight back.
We see this right
now in Scottsdale,
Arizona, where GA
hangars and shades are targeted for redevelopment;
in Alabama and Utah, where planned
developments on or near airports are clearly
incompatible; and in California, where airports
are under direct closure threat from politicians.
AOPA's team of airport advocates have
helped many pilot groups successfully oppose
these threats. The winning strategy common to
these efforts has four parts: identify the problem
early, organize local pilots and businesses,
gather all relevant info, and engage with one
common goal and a unified voice.
In some cases, local pilots have raised funds
to hire a qualified state aviation attorney. In
other cases, pilots have initiated very successful
social media campaigns to educate the local
community and leaders about the benefits of
GA. And, in other cases, pilots have engaged
persistently with the local airport authority
leaders to improve their " GA experience. "
Common mistakes include waiting too long
to get involved or letting emotion guide your
strategy. We're all passionate about flying, but
cooler heads usually do prevail.
Learn more about joining the Airport
Support Network at aopa.org/asn and click " Get
Involved " or call 800/USA-AOPA.
mike.ginter@aopa.org
REGIONAL NEWS /
1,995.
The number
of AOPA Airport Support Network
volunteers. There are 5,217 airports
in the United States-we need you!
CENTR AL SOUTHWEST REGION
Delivered presentations highlighting
AOPA Air Safety Institute programs and
hangar development best practices at the
annual Nebraska Aviation Symposium in
Kearney, Nebraska.
GREAT L AKES REGION
Represented AOPA members at Aviation
Indiana Legislative Day in Indianapolis;
Michigan Association of Airports
Executives in Lansing; North Dakota
Aviation Association Conference in Fargo;
and as a Technical Advisory Committee
member for the Illinois Aviation System
Plan Update.
WESTERN PACIFIC REGION
Participated on a panel addressing
alternative fuels during the Southwest
Chapter of the American Association of
Airport Executives Winter Conference;
AOPA President Mark Baker hosted a
pilot town hall in Kauai, Hawaii, and an
appreciation brunch at Oahu's Dillingham
Airfield, briefing AOPA members on
national and local issues affecting GA.
NORTHWEST MOUNTA IN REGION
Guided members at Grassy Meadows/Sky
Ranch Landowners Association Airport
(UT47) in their successful opposition
of city council re-zoning proposal of a
residential development near the airport.
SOUTHERN REGION
The future of GA is looking bright in
Wilmington, North Carolina, thanks to
the ILM Pilots Association, a new airport
manager, and renewed interest in GA by
members of the New Hanover County
Airport Authority.
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA PILOT / April 2022
13
http://www.aopa.org/asn http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy http://www.aopa.org/asn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022

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