Future of AOPA ??
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Abeam Alice Springs
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Future of AOPA ??
I have just seen the financial statement for AOPA (Oz) for the year ending Dec 2013 and it seems to tell a very sad tale.
A significant loss from the previous year and member numbers down from 2588 (2012) to 2315 (2013).
At a time when GA needs a strong representative organisation, what is going on with the financials?? As I see it, unless spending is cut and the membership/income increased the future does not look too flash.
Very sad situation, especially when in the mid 90's there were over 10,000 members. I guess many have just given up.
It would be good to know what the Directors plans are to resolve this situation?
A significant loss from the previous year and member numbers down from 2588 (2012) to 2315 (2013).
At a time when GA needs a strong representative organisation, what is going on with the financials?? As I see it, unless spending is cut and the membership/income increased the future does not look too flash.
Very sad situation, especially when in the mid 90's there were over 10,000 members. I guess many have just given up.
It would be good to know what the Directors plans are to resolve this situation?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mel-burn
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Similar story for RA-Aus. I heard 2nd hand (to be verified) that they had a $500k loss for the FY and can only sustain that for a maximum of 2 years. Membership is down significantly too.
"What has AOPA done for me!"...Good old Australian way asking to propagate the nanny state....
Ever heard of JFK's speech?
"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country!"
Ever heard of JFK's speech?
"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country!"
"What has AOPA done for me!"...Good old Australian way asking to propagate the nanny state....
Ever heard of JFK's speech?
"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country!"
Ever heard of JFK's speech?
"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country!"
I asked, "What has AOPA done for GA in the last five years", NOT what has AOPA done for me!
I have been flying for 40+ yrs. Not a member of AOPA. Never have been. Can't say that I have ever felt the need or desire to be! I seem to have gotten along just fine without AOPA - so tell me, "What have I missed out on"?
Dr
Oh dear, this was where I came in in 2001.
Before everyone starts shooting from the hip...check out your local aeroclub first and see how healthy they are. Mine is still running pretty good. So GA, in my neck of the woods, is doing OK.
AOPA suffers from the same issues as any peak body in this country....no one has time to participate at the level required to maintain critical mass. Volunteerism requires free hours freely given. Hence, the health of your local club. I will probably get shot down for saying this....AOPA isn't a union, so stop running it like a closed shop. There are issues that affect every pilot not just AOPA members. If the benefit is for everyone then just maybe, more than a few would join up to help out.
If you want to get into politics, join a political party!
Before everyone starts shooting from the hip...check out your local aeroclub first and see how healthy they are. Mine is still running pretty good. So GA, in my neck of the woods, is doing OK.
AOPA suffers from the same issues as any peak body in this country....no one has time to participate at the level required to maintain critical mass. Volunteerism requires free hours freely given. Hence, the health of your local club. I will probably get shot down for saying this....AOPA isn't a union, so stop running it like a closed shop. There are issues that affect every pilot not just AOPA members. If the benefit is for everyone then just maybe, more than a few would join up to help out.
If you want to get into politics, join a political party!
I was a proud member of AOPA for a number of years but lost interest when it became political / unionized, Not sure what year that was. maybe late 80's early 90's. I never renewed that interest.
Fly Safe
R W
Fly Safe
R W
FTDK wrote:" What have I missed out on?"
The AGMs used to be a hoot, Forkie. I'll never forget the one in 2000 at Moree and the one at Murray Bridge in (I think) 2001. I dropped out later as in those days, there were just so many competing egos.
Not something to be seen on PPRuNE though..
The AGMs used to be a hoot, Forkie. I'll never forget the one in 2000 at Moree and the one at Murray Bridge in (I think) 2001. I dropped out later as in those days, there were just so many competing egos.
Not something to be seen on PPRuNE though..
So what has AOPA done for GA in the last five years to warrant my membership?
Absolutely nothing of any value
I would suggest, based on first hand observation, that AOPA in very recent years has been, probably (hopefully) unknowingly, working against the interests of members, and GA in general.
Letting CASA emasculated the PIFR, an AOPA initiative that took a lot of bloody work, (as T-28D can attest) and has achieved considerable benefits for GA, is a sad thing.
AOPA's apparent failure to support the AMROB's initiative on GA maintenance is inexplicable, (even John McCormick supports this, the "Iron Ring" doesn't) I wonder do they even understand the problem.
I could go on at great length, but I won't!!
Talk about revisiting history.
These same questions and apparent problems were the reason I never bothered to renew my at that time, 25 year plus membership of AOPA in the mid nineties. Too much personal politicing (read ego) by a noisy individual threatening members with legal ramifications if anyone that dared to disagree.
I seem to remember that the Board elections were highly entertaining at that time as well.
None of which of course had anything to do with improving the future of GA or the Members.
These same questions and apparent problems were the reason I never bothered to renew my at that time, 25 year plus membership of AOPA in the mid nineties. Too much personal politicing (read ego) by a noisy individual threatening members with legal ramifications if anyone that dared to disagree.
I seem to remember that the Board elections were highly entertaining at that time as well.
None of which of course had anything to do with improving the future of GA or the Members.
At the Murray Bridge AGM, the power / ego game sure was in full swing. A female pilot lawyer (perhaps from Townsville?) trying to obtain possession of the microphone from a male pilot lawyer (perhaps from Canberra?), IIRC..
The entertainment value was well worth the membership fee...
The entertainment value was well worth the membership fee...
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...-you-want.html
Blast from the past.
Plus ca change plus ca meme chose (sorry can't find the accents)
Blast from the past.
Plus ca change plus ca meme chose (sorry can't find the accents
)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: AUSTRALIA
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Only members can change things. That's my point. Those on the footpath can only throw barbs. [bit like not voting and complaining about the result I'd say!] I agree that AOPA certainly went through some 'dark' times and frankly disgusting behaviour on the part of some. Change was needed and change has happened - like all groups , never to everyone's liking..
This is about supporting all aspects of GA from ownership, piloting, airport access, costs etc...
This is about supporting all aspects of GA from ownership, piloting, airport access, costs etc...
