Will Publish Answers In November Magazine

It's a seemingly impossible task -- getting a straight answer out of a political candidate. But that's exactly what the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has asked for from the likely Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.

AOPA notes little has been said about Barack Obama's and John McCain's stances on general aviation. McCain's wife, Cindy, is a pilot who reportedly earned her ticket to overcome her fear of flying... while Obama has often used GA for travel, albeit with mixed results.

Hoping to clear the air about issues important to private pilots, the 415,000 member-strong pilot advocacy group sent each candidate a questionnaire regarding issues important to GA.

"With all of the excitement surrounding the presidential election, AOPA members have been asking me, 'Who should I vote for president?'" said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Rather than endorsing a candidate, we've asked the campaigns where they stand on GA. We'll publish the answers in the November 2008 AOPA Pilot."

Questions touched on FAA funding, air traffic control, GA security, and the environment. AOPA also asked about the candidates' personal experience with GA.

FMI: Read The AOPA Questionnaire (.pdf), www.johnmccain.com, www.barackobama.com