AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2022 - 16

LETTERS
Milestones
Readers congratulate former
editor in chief Tom Haines on
his retirement
Thank you for your time at AOPA. I have always
been a Tom Haines promoter and enjoyed
every time we met. I greatly appreciate all the
experiences he shared with his followers. His
personality is second to none; he projected honesty
and friendship to all his followers.
His daughters did a fantastic job with his
story on AOPA Live This Week. I know he's
proud of them. To me, one of the best parts of the
story is that we may occasionally read and see
special stories from him. Enjoy life, my friend,
you not only deserve it, but you also earned it.
J.W. " Corkey " Fornof / AOPA 1368539
Frisco, Texas
On behalf of IAOPA Pacific Region, I would like
to congratulate Tom on his retirement and offer
very best wishes for the future. Tom's outstanding
work must have reached almost everyone
in the world involved in GA, whether an AOPA
member or not. Whether in print or through
AOPA Live, Tom's work has informed, motivated,
and influenced pilots all over the world.
Tom's reporting of the 2018 Queenstown
World Assembly, experience with the RNP-AR
approach, and flying afterward with Jack
Schulte on New Zealand's North Island became
a talking point for months and gave all of us in
this part of the world a boost. Thank you, Tom,
for keeping a global perspective, something that
seems to be easily overlooked by others in the
general aviation media. I heard that you have
plans to fly your Bonanza some more and do
some touring by motor home. Tom, have fun!
Andrew Andersen, vice president,
Pacific Region
International Council of Aircraft Owner
and Pilot Associations /
AOPA 7309672
Sydney, Australia
The announcement of Tom's retirement in
the April issue of AOPA Pilot punctuates his
distinguished career to date and reflects the
opportunities inherent in aviation. Tom's
many experiences flying GA aircraft throughout
the U.S. and the world are a tribute to his
16
AOPA PILOT / June 2022
impressive involvement with our community.
His love of aviation, continuing quest to learn
more about the art and science of flight, and skill
in sharing his knowledge with the many readers
of Pilot have established a legacy that will continue
to excite future aviators. Congratulations.
Jack W. Olcott / AOPA 122232
New Vernon, New Jersey
This is a short story of the impact one can make
without realizing it: An AOPA legal seminar
was held in conjunction with the AOPA Fly-In
in Prescott, Arizona, several years back, and I
was in attendance. I sat down in a vacant seat at
a table and introduced myself to the fellow sitting
there. We had chatted a few minutes when
Tom came walking up with his plate, asked if he
could join us, and we just sat there and shot the
breeze through a late supper. (I was impressed he
did not pull rank and cut to the head of the long
food line.) No pretense, no ego, just three guys
who loved aviation talking about aviation and life.
So, Tom, thank you for something you don't
even remember and for just being you. That
short time told me a lot about you, and I look
forward to bumping into you at some out-of-theway
airport or campsite down the road.
Gary Risley / AOPA 4296736
Farmington, New Mexico
We never met, but I've seen Tom's face almost
monthly. Passed by him a few times at Oshkosh
and I knew who he was instantly even though
he didn't and couldn't know each of us. Passing
the baton is one way of thinking about things
but another is that Tom carried the torch for a
good and long time. Tom, thanks for all you did
for the membership and best wishes.
Ron Sodini / AOPA 1420328
Chicago, Illinois
You know you're good
when your friends,
readers, and viewers
hurt a little when
they hear the news
you're retiring. Tom,
congratulations on
a very distinguished
run, and thank you for
serving our beloved
industry with your
capable and effective
talent. You will
be missed.
I suspect we'll see you
around in that A36.
Jim Bunke, regional vice
president
Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation /
AOPA 5685241
Denver, Colorado
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2022

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