I just joined AOPA

Considering that I have no desire to ever own anything termed "experimental," didn't seem to make much sense.

But do you just want cheap insurance, isn't that why you joined AOPA? Or do you really want the organization to lobby for your needs as a 1% in the aviation world?
 
Yep!

This guy...

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/...oger-Cohen-vice-president-of-Regional-Affairs

Then there stance on user fees, pilot 'bill of rights' legislation, and no medical certificate push for smaller aircraft pilots is very detrimental, to a healthy and safe airspace system.

If the slum lord wants cheaper insurance, EAA seems like the better organization and truly cares about the real GA Pilots.

At the end of the day, I think we all want to fly airplanes and drink beer.

It'd be nice to get that Bonanza one day.
 
Yep!

This guy...

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/...oger-Cohen-vice-president-of-Regional-Affairs

Then there stance on user fees, pilot 'bill of rights' legislation, and no medical certificate push for smaller aircraft pilots is very detrimental, to a healthy and safe airspace system.

If the slum lord wants cheaper insurance, EAA seems like the better organization and truly cares about the real GA Pilots.

You do realize Roger Cohen is no longer the AOPA VP of Regional Affairs?

And what about user fees? Putting them on GA is just going to end up being a disaster. People will do more scud running and try more risky behavior in order to avoid having to talk to the man and paying fees. And as for your no medical certificate for smaller aircraft pilots... that's already happening. It's called LSA. The accident record for LSA hasn't been much different than regular PPLs and certainly nothing to suggest that having a 3rd class medical made PPLs safer over LSAs.



Coming from a guy who has publicly claimed he will not fly GA now that he has a wife/kid, I take that as someone who is unsure of their own flying abilities and quite frankly a 121 wuss. :p
 
But do you just want cheap insurance, isn't that why you joined AOPA? Or do you really want the organization to lobby for your needs as a 1% in the aviation world?

It's not just the insurance (although that alone makes it worthwhile). Plenty of places give AOPA discounts. It's the same reason I have a BoatUS membership. And I'm more like the 3%. But I'm working on it. ;)
 
At the end of the day, I think we all want to fly airplanes and drink beer.

It'd be nice to get that Bonanza one day.

That is great! It really is! If you want to do that though, an organization like EAA is much more conducive to that than AOPA.
 
You still haven't answered why a guy flying Pipers and Diamonds should join an organization devoted to experimental aircraft. That's like, say, a pilot joining a trucker's union.
 
Oh, how predictable you are. I knew before I even finished typing what you would say.

You do realize Roger Cohen is no longer the AOPA VP of Regional Affairs?

Yep! Doesn't matter though. He still came from that organization and had ties there.

You would be livid if a former ALPA President went on to A4A. So it is quite hypocritical for you to not make the same connection here.

And what about user fees? Putting them on GA is just going to end up being a disaster.

Real GA is ALREADY a disaster. Look how much it costs to rent an aircraft. Great job AOPA! :sarcasm:

People will do more scud running and try more risky behavior in order to avoid having to talk to the man and paying fees.

Doubtful. as what I would like to see is that if you are only burning Jet-A you would be susceptible to GA user fees.

And as for your no medical certificate for smaller aircraft pilots... that's already happening. It's called LSA. The accident record for LSA hasn't been much different than regular PPLs and certainly nothing to suggest that having a 3rd class medical made PPLs safer over LSAs.

Yeah, you can't fix this line of thinking.


Coming from a guy who has publicly claimed he will not fly GA now that he has a wife/kid, I take that as someone who is unsure of their own flying abilities and quite frankly a 121 wuss. :p

I flew the Beech 1900 in a 121 environment so I am quite sure of my flying abilities. You saying that is like me saying one that went to JetU is unsure of their flying abilities to get a job so they had to pay to get that job! ;)
 
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You still haven't answered why a guy flying Pipers and Diamonds should join an organization devoted to experimental aircraft. That's like, say, a pilot joining a trucker's union.

The EAA is much more than that...

From the 'about EAA'

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/about-eaa

Furthermore, you said you 'just joined' AOPA because of their insurance. If you are truly looking for that than it looks like EAA has you answer.

Yes, they also have discounts!

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-membe...save-with-eaa-affinity-benefits-and-discounts

Also, please look at post 4 in this thread (which really wasn't that long ago)...

http://forums.jetcareers.com/thread...egional-airline-association-president.214159/

I will quote it for you...

AOPA isn't just a conflict of interest for professional aviators, it is also a rip off for anyone who isn't a rich guy with a fancy turbine airplane. AOPA caters to that crowd and cons the little guy into funding their efforts. It's like a Koch brothers super PAC for aviation.

Great job ripping yourself off!
 
Oh, how predictable you are. I knew before I even finished typing what you would say.

Yep! Doesn't matter though. He still came from that organization and had ties there.

You would be livid if a former ALPA President went on to A4A. So it is quite hypocritical for you to not make the same connection here.

I personally wouldn't care. I'm used to ALPA sell outs. Cohen did basically 3 years for AOPA and moved on. The results were negligible.

Real GA is ALREADY a disaster. Look how much it costs to rent an aircraft. Great job AOPA! :sarcasm:
I won't argue costs have skyrocketed. But if there is just one organization that is at least even trying a little, it is AOPA. No one else is raising a finger (except the EAA which is also trying).

Doubtful. as what I would like to see is that if you are only burning Jet-A you would be susceptible to GA user fees.
Maybe. We'll see. This years budget was the first one in years that did not even have user fees presented. So AOPA is doing something right.

Yeah, you can't fix this line of thinking.

I flew the Beech 1900 in a 121 environment so I am quite sure of my flying abilities.

I just think it's weird how one can go through the civilian training ladder, fly 121, and then shun GA only because of a new kid?

This should be explored more. What exactly is it about GA? The potential of? Midair? Engine failure?

I can't imagine what scares you, but I'd recommend a Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Glass cockpit that rivals jetliners, full dual-axis autopilot, 2 GPS (like airliners), and if the "oh crap" factor ever hits you, pull the chute and you'll live. So why not? :)
 
jynxyjoe said:
Ya hu. I'll put certified MX safety record against experimental every day of the week.
I agree but it's the time to do a more detailed preflight. If something is going to change in control aspect it's when it's opened up during annual.
 
I just think it's weird how one can go through the civilian training ladder, fly 121, and then shun GA only because of a new kid?

You are assuming a lot. I don't shun GA. I shun organizations like AOPA as I don't think they care about the real GA folks. All they care about are those that burn Jet-A and the lawyer who has a tax shelter scheme for his personal Cirrus for 'business' use.

AOPA doesn't give a rat's ass about those that want to go out for the $100.00 Hamburger on the weekend. Folks on here need to realize that.

This should be explored more. What exactly is it about GA? The potential of? Midair? Engine failure?

Nothing needs to be 'explored', so get over yourself. Last time I was in a GA airplane was with @killbilly in 2009 which was well before I even met my wife. I just don't care to spend my money and time off at an airport. I love my job, get my flying fix from that, and just want to be at home with the wife and kid. Simple as that.

Those that want to spend time at the airport, good for them! I really don't have a problem with that. I do have a problem though with organizations like AOPA and what they do.
 
You are assuming a lot. I don't shun GA. I shun organizations like AOPA as I don't think they care about the real GA folks. All they care about are those that burn Jet-A and the lawyer who has a tax shelter scheme for his personal Cirrus for 'business' use.

AOPA doesn't give a rat's ass about those that want to go out for the $100.00 Hamburger on the weekend. Folks on here need to realize that.



Nothing needs to be 'explored', so get over yourself. Last time I was in a GA airplane was with @killbilly in 2009 which was well before I even met my wife. I just don't care to spend my money and time off at an airport. I love my job, get my flying fix from that, and just want to be at home with the wife and kid. Simple as that.

Those that want to spend time at the airport, good for them! I really don't have a problem with that. I do have a problem though with organizations like AOPA and what they do.


Fair enough. But you are wrong about AOPA not speaking up for that 100 hamburger guy. One of their biggest obstacles right now is the ADS-B out solution. Some of those compliance installations by 2020 will cost 5,000-15,000+. AOPA recognizes that many aircraft owned are worth in the 12k-40k range and that a single cost this huge is going to result in a bunch of people not wanting to pony the money when considering in some cases it costs half the airplane's value just to make it ADS-B out compliant! AOPA is working to try and get the ADS-out mandate more pilot friendly.

Now the more important question, what can one do on a 23 hr layover in AUS if their hotel is downtown by the river?
 
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