Volunteers Making A Difference Through Education and Early Action

AOPA's Airport Support Network is celebrating its 10th anniversary. With nearly 2000 volunteers in all 50 states, the program's mission is to promote, protect, and defend America's community airports.

"Saving airports is consistently at the top of members' priority lists," said Andy Cebula, executive vice president of government affairs. "We see their passion in the numbers who volunteer their time and energy to protect their local airports, and we encourage all members to get involved."

The ASN program was formed in direct response to feedback from AOPA members, who recognized that protecting community airports was critical to securing general aviation's future.

Today, volunteers act as AOPA's local eyes and ears. They are the Association's first reporters and first responders to potential threats against their airports. The volunteers communicate regularly with AOPA headquarters, working with them to eliminate or mitigate threats to local airports.

History proves that being involved and taking action early are effective ways to protect airports. In 1995, airports were closing at an average rate of two per month. In all of 2006, the total number lost was 21 public-use airports.

In honor of ASN's 10th anniversary, the Friday morning general session at AOPA Expo was devoted to protecting America's general aviation airports. Challenges and common problems of general aviation airports were discussed, as well as how local pilots can work with AOPA to secure the future of their airports.

FMI: www.aopa.org/asn/