“a few notable figures in AOPA UK aren't the brightest around town and past their sell by date.”

I would like to say that Mike C is a very bright guy, no comment on his sell by date…:}

In the UK the alliance works very well and has combined just about every aviation lobby group you can think of except AOPA. The important thing is that you join one, not which one.

Rod1

Does that say volumes?

Mike C is way past his sell by date, his only consolation is that his aeroplane was built before he was.

AOPA Germany
 

Any info about AOPA Germany?
It worth joining them being faa pilot and flying N-regs in Germany?
Thanks
Maxms

A German friend of mine who also flies N-reg is a member of AOPA Germany. He says they are a reasonably well connected group and do a lot of good for private aviation in Germany.

If you ever want to convert to a german license and need a level 6 certificate for English Language Proficiency, the AOPA Germany seminars and exam sessions are very good.

But instead of asking on a forum, why don't you give them a call ?

I'm a member of both AOPA UK and AOPA US because I fly in both. All of the AOPA's are members of IAOPA and work in concert. This is particularly true in Europe, where EASA is imposing common standards and lobbying at the European rather than National level is essential. By joining AOPA Germany you would be supporting that lobbying effort. While AOPA US has a clear interest in N Reg operations in Europe it is IAOPA Europe that is doing the grunt work.

I would just like to add that I had a problem last week when an engineering company had carried out work on an aircraft which had not been authorised, and were refusing to hand the aircraft back until they were paid in full.

I got on the phone to Martin who couldn't have been more helpful in explaining the legal situation together with other helpful advice.

The situation was eventually resolved by further negotiation but was certainly helped by Martin.

I'm a member of AOPA UK because I want to support their activities in the UK. Nick Wilcock has been extremely helpful in keeping people up to speed regarding developments regarding the IMC rating, and I was very grateful, so voted with my wallet.

I'm also a member of AOPA US, not because I expect to be flying in the States any time soon, but because the online training courses, videos and AOPA Pilot magazine represent extremely good value for money in terms of what you get.

On a positive note I have noticed US AOPA getting involved, via "IAOPA", in European matters.

This is very good news since the European AOPAs never had any power or funding to do anything much on the big picture.

Mike Cross does great work :ok: Look at Lee on Solent; an amazing achievement.

Agreed, Mike a real success for Lee and wonderful it was preserved.

AOPA UK relies on people like Mike Cross.
The problem why more people don't get involved are the few at the very top who dont recognize they are past their sell-by date. Few very young people have the time for AOPA whilst also building their careers and their lives so who replaces the old duffers?
How do you grow AOPA UK into an organisation anything like AOPA USA??

While I certainly put in a lot of work on Lee I was only part of a team. Other people started the Lee Flying Association and raised the funding for the legal challenge.
You can't, we don't have enough potential members in the UK to fund the same level of staff and marketing that they do in the US. We have a paid CEO (Martin) and a part time admin person. Everyone else is an unpaid volunteer.

The ethic in the US is also different to UK, I can say that because I'm living there at the moment. In the US there is more willingness by individuals to fund activities on a voluntary basis, where in UK there's a tendency for it to be done on a commercial or local government basis. For example if the local residents in the US want a swimming hole or some beach facilities they'll band together to do the work and raise the funding. In the UK we'd probably lobby the local council to do it or the facility would be provided by a commercial concern. This isn't a criticism, it's just pointing up a difference in attitude.

You need to go back to the inter-war years to find local government funding airports in the UK. It's still happening in the US although pressure for user fees is now rising.