Tue, Jan 14, 2003
3.2% Growth Encouraging in Anti-Aviation Climate
The Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association, already the world's largest civil
aviation organization, continued to make substantial gains in
membership during 2002, ending the year with 390,749 members. The
organization points out that's an increase of 12,179 in a single
year.
"Passing another 10,000-member milestone and achieving 390,749
provides a number that commands attention," said AOPA President
Phil Boyer. "As the new 108th Congress convenes and the country
faces many issues that could impact general aviation pilots,
aircraft and airports, we're pleased to represent the many pilots
who trust us to protect their interests.
"Whether we are in the halls of Congress, state
legislatures, county councils or city halls, politicians take
particular note of the size of AOPA's constituency," Boyer
continued. "The continued threat of terrorism or possible war, plus
the new department of Homeland Security poised to embrace the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), creates many new
challenges for general aviation. Representing such a large block of
voters greatly assists the association in confronting the pending
regulations and legislation during these troubled times."
Members recently proved how combined voices under the umbrella
of AOPA can make a difference. AOPA members were urged to write the
president and publisher of Time, Inc., to protest a negative ad in
TIME magazine that depicted an airport runway, two GA aircraft and
two cooling towers of a nuclear power plant. Within days of this
campaign Time, Inc. removed the ad
from their media schedule.
"Growing membership sends a strong signal that general aviation
is alive and well, in spite of these troubled political and
economic times," said Boyer. "No one is looking forward more
than I to the addition of our next 10,000 members when AOPA will
become 400,000 strong [and validate one of ANN's predictions for
the year 2003 --ed]."
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