Mr. AOPA

Through the years, there have existed many people who have been a huge influence om the aviation world.  From Lindburg, to the Wright Brothers, to the current FAA administrator.  But one person in my mind is overlooked, and plays an important role today.  He is the president on the largest GA organization in the world.  I am speaking of noone else than Mr. Craig Fuller,  The fourth and current president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Organization. or AOPA since its founding. .  He brings to this position a career that includes senior public affairs positions in business, association leadership, and executive positions in the federal government, including eight years of service in the White House from 1981 to 1989. 

Before speaking on why Craig is important it is important to know that he is infact only a GA pilot, and always has been.  In fact he only has a private pilot certificate with instrument and multi engine add ons.  It is strange that someone who has been flying since age 17 (about 40 years for him) only has a private certificate.  Most people of his power, and position usually have a commercial certificate and have worked in the industry as a pilot.  He also is the proud owner of his own aircraft.  I feel that these are important qualities for a nman of his position as he is not directly influenced by big companies, and has the individual pilot, the private pilot, in mind when he is lobying and working for our rights and privelages as GA pilots. 

With no real office in my opinion Craig travells around the United States speaking and lobying for General Aviation, which is a very integral part of our economy. I feel that if this organization did not exist, and people like Craig didnt have such a voice on capitol hill, our government would be walking all over the GA populus.  Craig has lobyed for many different items that could affect GA flight in both the positive and the negative.  One of the largest issues that Craig was involved in, and still envolved in is the issue of GA user fees.  For those of you that dont know, user fees are fees that people of the airsapce or "users" of the airspace infrastucture will have to pay to help fund FAA activities, and infrastructure advancement.  User fees are in full swing in Europe, and it has been shown that there has been a lot less public interest in flying as it is way to expensive to learn to fly and to get the equivalent of the private pilot certificate. Craig has also helped the GA public in many other ways that would have most likely increased costs for flight training, and GA flight. 

WIthout the AOPA and someone like Fuller, The GA world as we know it would be a completely different animal.  Higher fees, and costs would prevent most people, or the average student puruseing their dreams of flight to become pilots.  Without the AOPA pilots would be in short supply, and thus all of the aviation industry would suffer.  This is why I feel that Craig Fuller is a important asset to the aviation industry.  Keep on keepin' on.