Future of AOPA ??
I left AOPA as a member in the mid/late nineties again because of the political bickering going on at the time. I rejoined again a few years back after meeting the new president at the time. The efforts that he and the current president put in quietly behind the scene is well worth supporting.
Did you know how much effort that AOPA (in both Australia and NZ) are putting into getting WAAS implemented here? As GA pilots we need to get behind that initiative!
As for membership - $160 isn't a lot to pay.
Bevan..
Did you know how much effort that AOPA (in both Australia and NZ) are putting into getting WAAS implemented here? As GA pilots we need to get behind that initiative!
As for membership - $160 isn't a lot to pay.
Bevan..
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Bevan 
CHAIRMAN
And my favourite saying, all it takes for the forces of evil to rule the world is for enough good men to do nothing! Same applies here. It is a thankless task. I am sure Philip Reiss and previously Andrew Andersen could confirm that a 40 hour week of unpaid work on top of their normal working week is a heavy burden to bare.
Those of us who donate similar, although not quite as heavily certainly understand. What AOPA, Warbirds, AMROBA, SAAA, and the list goes on needs is for a few, just a few more folk who are capable and talented in various areas, to man up and do something rather than whinge, whine and complain from the sidelines.
In most cases all it needs is the donation of the subscription, to help fund it all. I am a member (fully paid) of 5 or maybe more aviation orgs, because I believe it is worth it. Surely all of Australia's pilots could help fund AOPA at $165 a year or whatever it is. Plus whatever other specialist group you are affiliated with.
Get on board and quit the apathy or you get exactly what you deserve. Apply some of the Anzac spirit.
CHAIRMAN
I'm with you Jaba - easy to bleat but who puts their hand up to help carry the load?
I've been a AOPA member through those political times and was disgusted as were many others. I believe AOPA is over those political problems of the past and have been for a long time.
The magazine alone is worth the subscription
There are bugger all representative bodies for GA, AOPA is one of the few.
We are all being slowly steamrollered, but it's outfits like AOPA that help put the handbrake on, and the speed of the roller down.
How do you guys that aren't members of one of the groups help stop the sh*t from flowing down the hill?
Apologies for the crook metaphors.
I've been a AOPA member through those political times and was disgusted as were many others. I believe AOPA is over those political problems of the past and have been for a long time.
The magazine alone is worth the subscription
There are bugger all representative bodies for GA, AOPA is one of the few.
We are all being slowly steamrollered, but it's outfits like AOPA that help put the handbrake on, and the speed of the roller down.
How do you guys that aren't members of one of the groups help stop the sh*t from flowing down the hill?
Apologies for the crook metaphors.
And my favourite saying, all it takes for the forces of evil to rule the world is for enough good men to do nothing! Same applies here. It is a thankless task. I am sure Philip Reiss and previously Andrew Andersen could confirm that a 40 hour week of unpaid work on top of their normal working week is a heavy burden to bare.
Those of us who donate similar, although not quite as heavily certainly understand. What AOPA, Warbirds, AMROBA, SAAA, and the list goes on needs is for a few, just a few more folk who are capable and talented in various areas, to man up and do something rather than whinge, whine and complain from the sidelines.
In most cases all it needs is the donation of the subscription, to help fund it all. I am a member (fully paid) of 5 or maybe more aviation orgs, because I believe it is worth it. Surely all of Australia's pilots could help fund AOPA at $165 a year or whatever it is. Plus whatever other specialist group you are affiliated with.
Get on board and quit the apathy or you get exactly what you deserve. Apply some of the Anzac spirit.
Did you know how much effort that AOPA (in both Australia and NZ) are putting into getting WAAS implemented here? As GA pilots we need to get behind that initiative!
But, who are the people speaking best on what is going on? The single best piece I've read in years has come from Jeff Boyd when he was president of the Regional Aviation Association.
A Bridge Too Far | Pro Aviation
The most succinct piece I have read on the troubles affecting general aviation has come from an airline association!!
I first joined AOPA in the late seventies, but like Bevan, dropped out in the era of the political in-fighting. Sometime later I re-joined, but again dropped out during the phase when they mistakenly thought they could achieve more by being friends with CASA.
Recently, I have been through the website and read the current magazine and I just can't figure out what they stand for.
I think its pretty easy to figure out the hot topics. All you need to do is look through pprune. They are all here. If I had any confidence at all that the AOPA was stridently representing a view on these topics, I'd join again.
The latest copy of the magazine trumpets some minor progress towards GP issued medicals. Big deal! If we don't do something about ADS-B for IFR, the new licensing regs, the new maintenance regs, it will all be academic. We won't have pilots who need medicals.
My last comment can be seen as parochial, but frankly, I can't see how you can hope to have any understanding of GA based in Bankstown. It might be the least active , least progressive GA airport in the country, not to mention probably the hardest to get to for visiting interstate members.
By my count (and using Google), 5 out of 9 directors are NSW based. Seriously??
Absolutely nothing of any value
So what has AOPA done for GA in the last five years to warrant my membership?
How about the creation of the recreational pilot licence for those who have lost their licence on medical grounds?
How about the real possibility of future Class 3 medicals being able to be issued by DAME's?
I am sure there are other issues being looked at as well.
The latest copy of the magazine trumpets some minor progress towards GP issued medicals. Big deal!
By my count (and using Google), 5 out of 9 directors are NSW based. Seriously??
Last edited by Jenna Talia; 25th Apr 2014 at 01:24. Reason: Added post
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From personal experience in the past 6 months I can assure you all this is smoke and mirrors, CLARC medical still apply the Class 2 medical standards irrespective of what the so called Recreational Licence may be, I have lost my Class 1 Class 2 and there is no way the DAME or any other practicioner will give a positive endorsement to fly even though I still hold a Heavy Commercial Vehicle drivers licence.
At the end of the day it is who is going to carry the responsibility for issuing the license, not the DAME, nor the GP , nor AOPA, Nor CLARC.
AOPA may have had a hollow victory, but that is all it is !!!!!!
At the end of the day it is who is going to carry the responsibility for issuing the license, not the DAME, nor the GP , nor AOPA, Nor CLARC.
AOPA may have had a hollow victory, but that is all it is !!!!!!
Folks,
Fact is, CASA AvMed have made it clear that they reserve issues to all but simple straightforward medicals. I have a Class 2 now, annual only, due some pre-existing problems, a DAME WILL NOT be able to issue me a RPL medical.
The RPL medical is NOT the same standard as the medical standard for an RAOz pilot certificate.
All the AOPA (and the others involved) have achieved, if they have achieved anything, is a nominal reduction in the time to issue a medical.
There is NO REFORM of medical standards of any significance.
Dear Jenna,
The original pilot option was agreed with ASA many years ago, and it was a lot less than $500.
Old Akro has just about got the present AOPA sized up.
AOPA of the present day support the ADS-B program, and seem to be as resolutely opposed to cost/benefit justification of any CASA regulation, as CASA itself.
As of the last SCC, AOPA does not seem to even be aware that the CASA "iron ring" wants to impose PART 42/145 on GA maintenance, or what that would mean, they did NOT support the AMROBA presentation for sustainable GA maintenance.
Tootle pip!!
Fact is, CASA AvMed have made it clear that they reserve issues to all but simple straightforward medicals. I have a Class 2 now, annual only, due some pre-existing problems, a DAME WILL NOT be able to issue me a RPL medical.
The RPL medical is NOT the same standard as the medical standard for an RAOz pilot certificate.
All the AOPA (and the others involved) have achieved, if they have achieved anything, is a nominal reduction in the time to issue a medical.
There is NO REFORM of medical standards of any significance.
Dear Jenna,
The original pilot option was agreed with ASA many years ago, and it was a lot less than $500.
Big deal! If we don't do something about ADS-B for IFR, the new licensing regs, the new maintenance regs, it will all be academic. We won't have pilots who need medicals.
AOPA of the present day support the ADS-B program, and seem to be as resolutely opposed to cost/benefit justification of any CASA regulation, as CASA itself.
As of the last SCC, AOPA does not seem to even be aware that the CASA "iron ring" wants to impose PART 42/145 on GA maintenance, or what that would mean, they did NOT support the AMROBA presentation for sustainable GA maintenance.
Tootle pip!!
AOPA member from 1963 to 2013......yes, 50 years! But, finally called it a day.
Too subservient to the regulator. Seemingly oblivious to why pilot numbers are declining.
Now focused on supporting SAAA and RAAus.
Too subservient to the regulator. Seemingly oblivious to why pilot numbers are declining.
Now focused on supporting SAAA and RAAus.
Surely all of Australia's pilots could help fund AOPA at $165 a year or whatever it is.
Why?
Why?
CASA and AsA are heavily focussed at the big end of town - thats where the money is.
If you want GA to have a voice, join AOPA. If you don't like the sound of the voice, get involved. Don't just whinge on the sidelines.
Bevan..
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Think you're right about the critical mass aspect, CM. That seems to be the killer of so many potentially better paths.
My story is much like some of the others here. Was an AOPA member for many years. Bailed during the egos era. Supported other organizations thereafter and haven't seen the particular value of getting back to AOPA. Admire the incremental change like the faster medicals but, like LS, the exclusions work against me so it's either my current Class 2 or the RA Aus driver's licence.
I'd like to think that RA Aus had a shot at long-term success but the critical mass issue surfaces again: the CASA RPL licence will almost certainly fragment the recreational community, making RA Aus even less viable than it now is.
Having been a volunteer in several organizations, I have great respect for people who give their time and effort to AOPA. But I just don't see the organization being particularly relevant and, for my particular branch of recreational aviation, I'll chart the same long-term path as Poteroo, trepidation notwithstanding.
I do agree, it'd be great to realize the dream of one Australian GA organization, encompassing all recreational and sports flying. With critical mass such an issue, it's surely the goal.
My story is much like some of the others here. Was an AOPA member for many years. Bailed during the egos era. Supported other organizations thereafter and haven't seen the particular value of getting back to AOPA. Admire the incremental change like the faster medicals but, like LS, the exclusions work against me so it's either my current Class 2 or the RA Aus driver's licence.
I'd like to think that RA Aus had a shot at long-term success but the critical mass issue surfaces again: the CASA RPL licence will almost certainly fragment the recreational community, making RA Aus even less viable than it now is.
Having been a volunteer in several organizations, I have great respect for people who give their time and effort to AOPA. But I just don't see the organization being particularly relevant and, for my particular branch of recreational aviation, I'll chart the same long-term path as Poteroo, trepidation notwithstanding.
I do agree, it'd be great to realize the dream of one Australian GA organization, encompassing all recreational and sports flying. With critical mass such an issue, it's surely the goal.
