Organization Supported By The State Department Of Aviation

Virginia has become the first state to establish its own seaplane pilots association, according to the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA). The Virginia Seaplane Pilots Association (VSPA) was created during the Lake Anna Splash-In held May 23 - 24.

Those attending the event voted unanimously to establish the Virginia Seaplane Pilots Association and elected Bill Fosdick as its first President. Edgar “ET” Tello, the regional representative from the SPA was in attendance and provided valuable guidance to the group. The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) Director, Randy Burdette and the DOAV Director of Flight Operations and Safety, Steve Harris were there in support of creating the association. “Virginia is considered a seaplane friendly state and with a concerted effort by the 209 seaplane pilots already in Virginia we can make the business and sport of flying seaplanes in Virginia much safer for the pilots and citizens of this great commonwealth through education and preservation and cooperation," said Bill Fosdick, the president of the newly-formed VSPA.
 
The goal of the Virginia Seaplane Pilots Association is to educate, promote and preserve seaplane operations throughout the commonwealth. Education of public officials, decision makers, other waterway users and the general public about seaplanes and their operations is key to continued acceptance on commonwealth waterways. Promotion of seaplanes in a public safety and service role provides value to the local community. Education and promotion will result in the preservation of seaplane operators’ rights to share the commonwealth’s natural resources with other groups. One objective of the VSPA is to document in the Virginia Airport Directory and SPA Directory information on landing waterways in the commonwealth and contact information for those who have oversight responsibilities for those waterways. 
 
The Virginia Department of Aviation’s (DOAV) vision is to become the standard of excellence among state aviation agencies and make the Virginia aviation system the model air transportation system providing Virginia communities economic development opportunities and convenient access to the national air transportation system. DOAV’s mission is to cultivate an advanced aviation system that is safe, secure and provides for economic development; promote aviation education and awareness; and provide the safest and most efficient flight services for the commonwealth leadership and state agencies.

(Image provided by the Virgina Department of Aviation)

FMI: www.doav.virginia.gov