FF. AOPA is not parliament. It is a company that provides a service to a membership just like a Gym for example. It is not a members owned organisation like leicester aero club for example or others.
It has a number of working groups that are made up of members, the MWG, the Instructor Committee, the schools etc. All AOPA members and with few exceptions all VOLUNTEERS.
Discussion and solution planning are worked on by committee and subject to vote. Martin then acts on this on our behalf, with the support of the various working groups. He is not some lone cannon deciding what he is going to do unilaterally. He sets great stock on what we the members have to say.
If anyone is unhappy that a committee of members is acting on there behalf then they are welcome to volunteer at any stage to participate. We are actively seeking volunteers to act as airfield reps. This role is to be a focal point for the AOPA membership feeding views and opinions back into the organisation. So if you want to be asked about something personally rather than be represented by your peers then please feel free to volunteer your services. We would be delighted to have you onboard. 1 volunteer being better than 10 pressed men and all that.
I hope this helps.
AL, the reason we are running a survey is to gain real statistics on what is a very emotive subject. There have been 25,000 IMC issued. 10,000 of those to PPL. But we do not know how many are current and the CAA can't get the information. It is all well and good saying that there are 25,000 issued of which 23,000 have medicals but how many are actually valid and in current use. 1 or 1,000 or 10,000? Carrying out the survey allows us to put REAL statistics across about the number of current IMC's, the type of flying they are being used for. This will help create a case that can be put across at European level based on fact not emotion.