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Mark Baker to retire as AOPA prez

Brian said:
Thanks for posting that.

First of all, it shouldn't be hidden and available only to logged-in members.

Second, they should be able to demonstrate action and success in each and every one of those goals. They certainly do achieve the last one but #s 1 to 4 seem questionable to me.
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Welcome !!!

And, as an aside...I heard from a group of local (KFDK) Instructors (not affiliated with a flight school), Civil Air Patrol, and others, all of whom are Members of AOPA. They asked to use, and offered to pay retail rates, the several RedBird training devices AOPA has in their "training building" (not the HQ), which are rarely in-use. AOPA refused, citing if they allowed the local community access, they would have to allow every AOPA Member access, and the like. Well, news for ya AOPA, CFII Members from California aren't flying to Frederick, MD for a 3-hour RedBird session with a Student. Not even those from other local airports.

This is yet another example of their arrogance, grandstanding, holier-than-thou attitude which turns Members, prospective Members, and the GA Community off, and away from them. If you turn off the local community, and the pilots/instructors who fly out of your airport you so proudly call "home", why not extend some courtesy (they're not even asking for a break, simply access at retail rates), to those pilots/instructors whom you have to share that "home" with ??? So much for the BS "be a good neighbor pilot" when flying proffered by AOPA ~ rules for thee, but not me.

So the training devices, paid for with Member dues, to an organization which touts itself as
  • educating pilots, nonpilots, and policy makers alike
  • supporting activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation
  • fighting to keep General Aviation accessible to all
completely fails.
 
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Yep.
 
Pointing out AOPA's failures is an important and valuable service to the aviation community. I only hope that people who stop supporting the AOPA find a different aviation organization to support. For me, that was EAA but take your pick and let's continue supporting aviation.
 
Pelton has done a fantastic job at EAA. His biggest success was in eliminating entrance fees for young people at Airventure. Over the last two summers I've seen a tremendous increase in young people at Osh. No longer is attendance solely old, grey haired, white boys. There might be hope for GA after all.
 
OldGunbunny said:
Pelton has done a fantastic job at EAA. His biggest success was in eliminating entrance fees for young people at Airventure. Over the last two summers I've seen a tremendous increase in young people at Osh. No longer is attendance solely old, grey haired, white boys. There might be hope for GA after all.
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Agreed ~ many of us have switched to EAA.

AOPA events look more and more like AARP Meetings, or the waiting room at a kidney dialysis facility catering to diabetics. Most of the "old, grey haired, white boys" either don't have, or cannot get Medical Certs. anymore.

Fly Safe!
 
StanBear said:
Agreed ~ many of us have switched to EAA.

AOPA events look more and more like AARP Meetings, or the waiting room at a kidney dialysis facility catering to diabetics. Most of the "old, grey haired, white boys" either don't have, or cannot get Medical Certs. anymore.

Fly Safe!
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I am a member of both, but I don't think I have ever been to an AOPA event other than their presence at EAA's AirVenture. But I guess if I were to attend one, I would fit right in, except I do still have a Class II medical.
 
Gil Buettner said:
I am a member of both, but I don't think I have ever been to an AOPA event other than their presence at EAA's AirVenture. But I guess if I were to attend one, I would fit right in, except I do still have a Class II medical.
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I, too, am a member of both. The one AOPA event I remember attending was the one at the Port Townsend airport a few years ago. I am a life member of EAA and haven't been to a single event of theirs, other than to the one in Florida many years ago (back when Phil Boyer was still in charge of AOPA).
 
Ghery said:
I, too, am a member of both. The one AOPA event I remember attending was the one at the Port Townsend airport a few years ago. I am a life member of EAA and haven't been to a single event of theirs, other than to the one in Florida many years ago (back when Phil Boyer was still in charge of AOPA).
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I worked ground traffic at an AOPA flyin at Bremerton KPWT several years ago. It was well organized and fun - back in the Phil Boyer days.
 
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Thanks, as always, for keeping us posted on the news, Aeromot. But... aren't your (extremely experienced) journalist ears twitching about this?
Pleasance is suddenly and immediately gone with no notice or transition period? After one year? Because the commute sucks? And he's President of a pro-travel organization?
I have head only very positive anecdotes about his personality and sincerity and never met him, but there's near-certainly more here than we're getting.
 
Yep!
 
G-Man said:
...I have head only very positive anecdotes about his personality and sincerity and never met him, but there's near-certainly more here than we're getting.
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The wine club is under performing.
 
I almost never watch long videos but I watched that entire video.

Well put. I couldn't agree more.
 
I met Darren Pleasance when he came to our Aviation Association's monthly dinner a few months ago. He was as everyone describes: personable, engaging, and passionate about his mission to connect with GA pilots throughout the country. I'm sorry he has to go through this. I hope the board reconsiders and does the right thing.
 
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It sounds like the real change that needs to take place is replacing the board.

Who appoints the board members? Are they elected by AOPA members? If so, what are the obstacles faced by someone wanting to have a place on the board (as a replacement for a current member)?

Roy
 
Most pilots likely just sign the proxy and don't give it another thought.

To change the board, enough pilots would have to choose to become involved in "their" association to force the board to act in ways that they think AOPA should be going.

Many -- probably most -- associations structured like this. To be honest, it's probably a lucrative, little-effort gig for the board members. Why would they want to change anything?
 
It was an interesting video, but it didn't really answer the question of why Pleasance was fired. It did emphasize Darren was FIRED, so that was illuminating, and it showed the board lied about it. Basically, the video praised Darren and trashed the incestuous board, but other than repeat the reason stated in the press release--he couldn't spend enough time at HQ--the video provided no other reason. It's still worth listening to in the background.

If we assume the video is correct in stating membership had grown over Darren's year, then the fact the board fired him says the board's goals are not the improvement and relevancy of AOPA, and the board's goals are not aligned with its membership. Bummer.
 
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