|
United States Pilots Association |
I Have a prediction. It is my strong belief that user fees will be defeated in this Congress when the FAA appropriations bill comes up for a full floor debate. This bill is so onerous that even a blind man can see the fallacy in trying to implement such a despicable fraud on the American aviating public. I could spend days rebutting the various arguments put forth by Marion Blakey and her goose stepping minions.
There is another point I wish to make. USPA has from the very beginning advocated the contacting of our federal Legislators (Congressmen/Women and Senators), explaining in great detail the flaws in this plan. I personally have spoken to four Congressmen, plus written to many more. I have prompted my city and county government officials to write protesting this bill. It is because USPA is a non-profit organization and without sources to obtain large amounts of money to fund a campaign to defeat this bill that our energy was devoted to encouraging people to lobby their Legislators, etc. Now comes AOPA belittling our efforts by stating in AOPA Pilot magazine in the May issue that they have a better plan. They are asking their members (yes, I am one, too), to record any answers the individuals receive to protest letters sent. AOPA will then work diligently to defeat those elected officials who do not stand on the side of general aviation. They also state that instead of just writing to your elected officials, they are going to actively go after those who do not support their point of view.
Next comes a large postcard from AOPA requesting more financial help to defeat this bill. I took great note that the card was franked as a non-profit organization which, of course, AOPA is not. We are a legitimate 501-C-3 organization and are legally not permitted to participate in election campaigns. AOPA is a FOR PROFIT organization that in addition to dues, extracts huge sums of monies every year from their members. They remind me of the NRA and the President's Election Committee the way they continually send out requests for money. Frankly, I am tired of these large organizations cuddling up with the Marion Blakeys of this world in an attempt to win favor and influence decisions.
We all know that the more aviation organizations we belong to, the better chance we have to project our voices to the government. Just because Phil Boyer puts Marion Blakey on his stage each year at AOPA EXPO does not mean that he has any more influence over her actions than do you or I. This is fraternizing with the enemy from my perspective. Those of us who are also members of AOPA need to write to Mr. Boyer and tell him that he works for us, not Ms. Blakey.
You can be sure that Phil will take all of the credit when this bill is defeated. My take on the whole issue is he should tell Ms. Blakey that GA will not be put into the closet so the airlines can muck up more of the ATC system than they presently do and get paid by the government while they are doing it.
I firmly believe that AOPA has lost its stated goal in life to represent general aviation exclusively. Sorry to say this, but they have become just another good old boys club seeking to feather their own nest at the expense of their membership. It is probably time for Phil to move on to other ventures and let AOPA get back to its roots. 410,000 pilots are going to be very angry at AOPA if they let user fees become another Meigs Field debacle.
This is my opinion, and I speak only for myself.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
With the help of new USPA member Jonathan Rimington, we have beautiful new USPA color brochures, which include membership applications. If you would like a few of them, please let me know, and I'll gladly get them to you.
Remember, most of us joined organizations because we were invited by friends. YOU are our best salesman! Ask a fellow pilot to join today.
Applications are also available on line at www.uspilots.org.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
"A Nation of Aviation"
With the help of new USPA member Jonathan Rimington, we have beautiful new USPA color brochures, which include membership applications. If you would like a few of them, please let me know, and I'll gladly get them to you.
Remember, most of us joined organizations because we were invited by friends. YOU are our best salesman! Ask a fellow pilot to join today.
Applications are also available on line at www.uspilots.org.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
"A Nation of Aviation"
The New Mexico Pilots Association monthly FAASTeam safety seminar for April was very successful. The topic was How to use GPS for IFR and VFR navigation. It was presented at Cutter Aviation FBO on the Albuquerque, NM, airport on Saturday, 21 April. The presenter was FAASTeam Representative and NMPA president, Bob Worthington. There were 35 attendees, with two people coming from Nogal (180 miles away, one from Las Cruces (250) miles away, several from Santa Fe (60 miles), and Taos (125 miles). Four door prizes were given away.
The next NMPA safety seminar will be on 12 May at the Grant County Airport in Silver City, and the two topics will be the status of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and how they effect pilots flying on the US-Mexico border by UAS expert Bill Turner, and the new technology of the FAA and how it impacts pilots, by FAA Technology official Ron Keller.
Bob Worthington, President
New Mexico Pilots Association
The Associated Press has reported on the position of USPA regarding Cannon AFB's lack of proper communication and radar coverage in its special operations airspace covering 15,590 square miles of New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. The article appears in the Las Cruces Sun News, 4/21/07.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
"A Nation of Aviation"
June is right around the corner, and now is the time to make plans to join USPA members and officers for a fun and informative time in Wichita, KS, June 14-17. The Hilton Airport Executive Conference Center is holding a block of rooms at the special rate of $89, and rental cars are available through Yingling Aviation, our host FBO, who have graciously offered us free tie-downs and a 40 cents per gallong fuel discount.
Since this gathering includes our annual membership meeting, if you cannot attend, please send a proxy with someone who will be attending. I will be happy to receive them if you don't send them with someone else. Email proxies are fine, and one is included in this email.
Those of you who are delegates to the USPA board, please remember that you or your proxy are needed in order to have a quorum to conduct business. Your input, representing your state, is also a very important part of what issues USPA takes up.
Be there, or be square! But send a proxy now if you can't make it.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
"A Nation of Aviation"
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the United States Pilots Association. If you would like to be removed from the email list, please email me at jan@uspilots.org, and I will
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the United States Pilots Association. If you would like to be removed from the email list, please email me at jan@uspilots.org, and I will be glad to comply. Thank you.
We have a mission.
We are the voice of grass roots aviation,
promoting and protecting our passion for flight.
We strive for safe skies.
We empower the pilot.
We honor those who endowed us with our heritage.
We build upon their foundation.
We educate.
We enjoy.
We are the USPA.
PROXY
The undersigned, being a designated voting member of the Board of Directors or an Individual Member of the United States Pilots Association, and entitled to vote at the Board Meeting or Annual Members Meeting on ________________, do hereby constitute and appoint _________________________ my true and lawful attorney-in-fact and proxy to attend and represent me at the Meeting, or any continuation or adjournment thereof, with full power to vote and act for me and in my name, place, and stead, in the same manner, to the same extent, and with the same effect that I might were I personally present thereat. Any proxy or proxies heretofore given by me to any person or persons whatsoever are hereby revoked.
In WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Proxy on this ___________ day of ______________, 2007.
Signature
Name Printed
VP Meetings Arnold Zimmerman has done a great job putting together a fun and informative visit to Wichita, KS, THE AIR CAPITAL. The registration form is attached and is also on our website at www.uspilots.org. Check it out today, and also reserve your room and rental car. The hotel cutoff deadline for our great rate is May 31. But book now before the block of rooms is gone.
On tap are tours of Cessna and Beech, plus many other activities in Kansas' largest city. The Saturday night banquet speaker has not yet been announced, but you can be assured of an interesting presentation and a great dinner.
Put the dates on your calendar now, book your room and car, and register with USPA on line or by fax or snailmail.
See you in Wichita!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
VP Meetings Arnold Zimmerman has done a great job putting together a fun and informative visit to Wichita, KS, THE AIR CAPITAL. The registration form is attached and is also on our website at www.uspilots.org. Check it out today, and also reserve your room and rental car. The hotel cutoff deadline for our great rate is May 31. But book now before the block of rooms is gone.
On tap are tours of Cessna and Beech, plus many other activities in Kansas' largest city. The Saturday night banquet speaker has not yet been announced, but you can be assured of an interesting presentation and a great dinner.
Put the dates on your calendar now, book your room and car, and register with USPA on line or by fax or snailmail.
See you in Wichita!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association