News
Protecting and Growing GA: AOPA and EAA Collaborating on Mutual Issues

June 5, 2009, OSHKOSH, Wis., EAA Aviation Center – Two of the largest U.S. aviation associations, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be collaborating on issues and programs that protect, support and grow general aviation as the result of a June 3 working session at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, Wis.

EAA chairman/president Tom Poberezny and AOPA president Craig Fuller, along with senior staff from each organization, met to discuss how they can work more closely to support general aviation (GA). They agreed to a collaborative, three-pronged commitment to protect general

aviation interests, promote GA safety, and grow the general aviation community in the United States.

"This is a logical collaboration that makes sense for the greater good of general aviation," Fuller said. "Each of our associations has been an effective advocate for GA. But now I look

forward to EAA and AOPA working more closely together at all levels to protect and grow general aviation, and to keep it safe."

AOPA and EAA leaders identified a significant number of near-term opportunities for collaboration, which will be evaluated over the next few weeks. In addition, the organizations agreed to jointly host a general aviation roundtable in early 2010 that would include a wide spectrum of the GA community.

"What evolved during the meeting was the mutual respect for the strengths of each organization, which will be used in ways that are mutually beneficial and address aviation growth and preservation," Poberezny said. "The majority of our nation's pilots belong to one or both of these organizations, so our members expect us to utilize these strengths in a way that addresses the long-term vitality of general aviation."

Additional information regarding future collaborative efforts will be announced in coming weeks as details are finalized.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is the world's largest aviation association, representing two out of every three pilots in the United States, and providing representation, education and information to protect and foster the future of GA. More information is available

at AOPA's website at www.aopa.org.

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world's most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA's members and local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. EAA also annually hosts EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration." For more information on EAA and its programs, go to

www.eaa.org.