RAF HOSTS AOPA REGIONAL MANAGERS FOR ANNUAL ONLINE MEETING

The RAF’s annual online meeting with AOPA took place September 17 and key volunteers were briefed on each region’s issues, and AOPA’s advocacy. Mike Ginter, former AOPA VP of Airports and Advocacy emceed. Ginter has recently taken on the position of Senior VP of the Air Safety Institute.  

Ginter led the discussion by announcing that the Congressional FAA Reauthorization bill passed, resulting in “a bigger pie than before, and GA has a larger piece,” amounting to $1 billion of the $4 billion total fund that prioritizes aviation safety, consumer protections, grows the aviation safety workforce, advances technology and innovation, and modernizes the national airspace system. 

RAF liaisons and ambassadors are invited to communicate with their Regional Manager, who monitors and advocates on issues critical to General Aviation. These seven professionals are registered lobbyists, and are GA’s advocates in Congress and state legislatures. Top priorities include preserving public-use airports facing closure, and preventing airspace encroachments and unreasonable ramp and user fees. AOPA is making progress ensuring 100LL supply and what Ginter calls “a smart transition” to unleaded avgas.

Each AOPA representative on the call expressed appreciation for the work the RAF does, and for the relationship between the two organizations.

The services these advocates provide are another benefit of AOPA membership. The RAF encourages all pilots to support the organization that for 80 years has worked to protect our freedom to fly. See AOPA.

Submitted September 30, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray