Comments on: Voters Register Support for GA on Election Day!

By: Hollister UK

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By: Don Kartoffel

Don Kartoffel — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:46:02 +0000

Craig,
Stay out of politics.

By: Greg Collins

Greg Collins — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:31:42 +0000

I operate a small flight school in North Carolina. I am literally involved with GA, 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. I own and rent out 2 airplanes, and I am the whole business. I started my own business in 1988 after getting out of the Marine Corps. 2012 has been the best year I’ve had, in fact I’ve already made 20% more than my next best year, (2011), and there’s still a month to go.
I’ve trained more new pilots this year, 41 successful checkrides, than ever before. I don’t see doom and gloom. All around me, money is being spent, and improvements made, on GA airports, KAVL is doing numerous major improvements, KGMU, KLQK, KTOC, KAND, KGYH, all have major new improvements completed, and in progress. These airports are my little world, so I have to assume that everything isn’t falling apart in GA.
Gas will never be $2.00 a gallon, and there’s no reason why it should be in a free market economy. Around here, $75,000 will buy you 2 older Skyhawks in pretty darn good condition. I run car gas, and have no problem finding it without Ethanol, even though everyone tells me it’s impossible. In fact my source is only a mile from my hangar. All it took was a few phone calls.
GA is an expensive hobby, so are boats, horses, mountain climbing, scuba diving, skydiving, skiing, golf. Why does everyone think it should be cheap?
Complaining about Loran being shut down? Really??? Don’t we want the government to cut costs? If you can’t afford a small GPS, you probably can’t afford to fly anyway.
Be positive, be realistic, find ways to make it work. Moaning and groaning won’t help, and certainly won’t encourage new blood in GA. Why would anyone want to get involved after reading the ridiculous sky is falling comments made by many of the folks on this board.

By: Todd A

Todd A — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:51:58 +0000

I think this is survey bias. Most american’s don’t have a clue what GA is ! At one point in time, “GA” flew more americans to their destinations in one day than any single airline… (maybe not after airline mergers and the decimation of private aviation). If you asked the same people about “small single-engine private airplanes” or “private business aviation” you would probably be saddened by the results. I work in the “Air Capital” of the world, home to 3 major business aircraft manufacturers, where nearly 1 in 10 of the local population work for or are retired from the industry….. and the “average” citezen of Wichita doesn’t know what GA is.

What concerns me the most is that the “CEO” of AOPA doesn’t know enough to recognize the problem with such a silly survey.

By: Bernie Quanz

Bernie Quanz — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:35:45 +0000

Wow, what a bunch of negative responses.
It’s just a little positive news, jeez people should be happy about that.
No, the problems in GA aren’t solved, but get a grip.

By: Chris C

Chris C — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:33:08 +0000

Quoting Harvard McCardle Says:
“WOW! Now I understand the weak coverage by AOPA of our presidential candidates.”

I have to agree.

Mr. Fuller, poor show. I must echo the sentiments of others. My membership is due for renewal in a few days. I have been debating renewing because for the first time in over a decade, I do not feel AOPA is willing to fight for our best interests. From the weak coverage prior to the elections, terrible articles related to the administrations policies effects on GA, and now this completely misleading poorly written article (with an equally poor and seemingly biased title) it has become clear to me that you are involved in nothing more than pandering. At this point, after watching for the past year and adding up all the pieces, to think that you are nonpartisan and putting the best interest of GA and your members first is laughable.

Others may defend you with “political neutrality”, but that does nothing to put our best interest first, and educate our members about the dangers ahead for GA. “Thinking positively” of GA and wasting members time with “fluff” like this will do nothing to hinder the damaging policies (and effects) of this administration on GA, both those already felt and those to come, and until the AOPA is willing to take a stand I don’t believe I can stand with you. Should the AOPA return true mission, likely after you are replaced, I will be happy to once again support.

By: MC

MC — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:28:22 +0000

A president who continually publicly demonizes private jet operators is no friend to GA. Obama has also discontinued LORAN-C and eLoran, and half of the VOR network, the only viable backups to GPS. Obama has done more to harm GA than any other president. AOPA and Craig Fuller will not get our support in regards to the current administration’s policies until they take a stand like NBAA has.

By: Maynard McKillen

Maynard McKillen — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:45:25 +0000

Les, you are being generous when you describe the questions that Mr. Fuller comments on as a “survey”. The effort to acquire actionable information was far too tepid, as if the organization doesn’t want to learn, or reveal to AOPA members, how marginalized a lobby it really is.

Trying to spin these “survey” results into substantial “Good news, AOPA members!” is a bit disingenuous to say the least, much ado about nothing, like trying to polish a kidney stone: the “results” are tiny, can’t be polished, and haven’t acquired any more value through attempts at refining or redefining them.

Equally amazing is your allegation that Mr. Fuller, and AOPA’s policy-creation mechanism, is nonpartisan. Have you seen his bio? Has he or any of the AOPA management promoted meaningful debate and discussion on ways to end entitlement status for corporate jet use in controlled airspace?

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:34:27 +0000

In order to ensure a favorable public and government opinion of GA, AOPA should establish a separate fund to produce a very short, concise video for lawmakers, and or television advertisement conveying the value of GA flights and small airports to the communities, ie. emergency (volunteer) medical flights and other emergency flights, and get it in front of lawmakers and the public.

Just saying we have the right to fly and we like it, or saying that GA is good for business and more effective than commercial does not carry weight with the majority of voters or legislators in the current environment. We must stress our service to the public in areas where there is no governmental or commercial service, ie. mercy flights, medical flights, flying doctors, etc., and also we must do more of it. Otherwise, we will get stuck with large and creeping fees for airspace usage, etc.

No point in just complaining about the somewhat erroneous political and social perception of GA—we need to try to change it and strengthen our image.

By: Will

Will — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 06:50:09 +0000

I should also add I am a product marketer for the most profitable company in the S&P500 according to Bloomberg News. And I tell you learning and applying the concepts how my firm extracts maximum revenue & profit from our customers has been an eye-opening experience for me. I can only imagine the Oil Companies must be doing the same after all we the USA (including myself) believe in free markets and every company’s ability to maximize profits, Just don’t foolishly think free market Capitalism means cheap costs for you or me. People get paid big bucks to find the optimum supply & demand balance point which is their duty to company shareholders.

Point being a repeat of Republican talking points against Obama doesn’t prove why he’s bad for GA and I don’t see anyone here with a convincing argument why a Republican would be any better. (Don’t tell me any of you seriously believe that all the oil from that Mid-western pipeline to Canada will stay in the US. That would be in violation of free market principles which we hold dear.)