IAOPA Holds 22nd Biennial World Assembly
The International
Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations has just concluded
its 22nd biennial World Assembly in Toulouse, France, determined to
protect general aviation and aerial work (GA/AW) from overzealous
security precautions and excessive costs.
"The issues pilots face are universal," said IAOPA President
Phil Boyer. "IAOPA was formed to give us all a more forceful voice
in addressing those issues, through it's official status with ICAO
(the International Civil Aviation Organization)."
The 22nd World Assembly got underway Tuesday evening with a
reception for Boyer and the delegates hosted by the Mayor of
Toulouse at the city hall, known as "le Capitole."
The hard work began on Wednesday. Delegates heard from Patrick
Goudou of the European Aviation Safety Agency, George Firican,
Regional Air Traffic Manager for the International Civil Aviation
Organization; later in the week from Michel Vachenheim, the head of
France's Direction Ginirale de l'Aviation Civile (FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey's French counterpart).
Panel discussions covered a wide range of topics of worldwide
interest. In one entitled "Improving the Image of General
Aviation," Boyer, in his role as president of the Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association in the United States, presented the GA
Serving America program, which uses a world-class Web site and
other materials to explain to policy makers and the non-flying
public about the many facets and benefits of general aviation. In a
session on "Attracting and Keeping Members," He also explained
AOPA's role in Be A Pilot, the industry-wide effort to interest
more people in learning to fly. During another discussion, Boyer
addressed the single most important issue to US members - "Saving
and Preserving Airports." He gave a step-by-step explanation of how
AOPA and local pilots' organizations were able to save Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg
(FL). He also answered questions about the demise of Chicago's lakefront airport, Merrill C.
Meigs Field. Delegates viewed the overnight
destruction of Meigs as a worldwide "wake-up call" about what can
happen to a valuable landing facility.
Other panel discussions addressed airspace issues -primarily in
Europe but providing a warning of what may be in store for US
airspace; new technology, in which US AOPA Senior Director of
Advanced Technology Randy Kenagy discussed the use of automatic
dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B), a technology that,
among other things, provides pilots with air traffic information in
the cockpit; controlling the cost of flying; and general aviation
security.
The IAOPA World Assembly brings together the leadership and
delegates from many of the 60 Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations
around the world. This year's gathering was hosted by AOPA-France
in Toulouse, home of Airbus. European AOPAs were heavily
represented, but delegates from as far away as Russia, Brazil,
Japan, and the Philippines also attended, as did representatives
from two AOPAs that have joined the international council within
the past six months -AOPA-Korea and AOPA-Lebanon.
For the first time in its history, IAOPA deliberately concluded
its business early so that AOPA-France could host a fly-in at
Toulouse Blagnac Airport. IAOPA participants had the opportunity to
visit the Airbus production line, see a mock-up of the Airbus 380,
and fly an Airbus full-motion simulator. During the fly-in, Boyer
(above, with Michel Vachenheim, DGAC France) hosted a seminar on
"General Aviation in the United States," while AOPA Air Safety
Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg led a safety seminar
on the hazards involved in "Maneuvering Flight." John and Martha
King, leaders in aviation education in the United States, held a
seminar on "Practical Risk Management for Pilots," and other
speakers representing manufacturers and the French government's
aviation weather service, METEO FRANCE, addressed visitors.
IAOPA represents the interests of more than 470,000 pilots and
aircraft owners in 60 countries. Formed in 1962, IAOPA is dedicated
to promoting the peaceful uses of general aviation and aerial work
worldwide. The organization gives AOPA members in the United States
very important official recognition at the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), the governing body for global
aviation.