(L/R) EAA Chairman/CEO Jack Pelton and AOPA President/CEO Mark Baker.
BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – AOPA President/CEO Mark Baker gladly shared the stage with EAA Chairman/CEO Jack Pelton, as the two general aviation leaders briefed AOPA members on the passage of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights II, during the AOPA Great Lakes Regional Fly-In, Sept. 16-17, 2016, at W. K. Kellogg Airport, Battle Creek, Mich. The legislation includes Third Class Medical Reform, which AOPA and EAA endorsed wholeheartedly.
Baker told members in Battle Creek that AOPA is committed to increasing the pilot population by decreasing costs with remanufactured aircraft; STC’d instruments for certified aircraft, previously only approved for experimental aircraft; and by promoting flying clubs.
An estimated 1,960 people attended the fly-in despite rain showers. Jeppesen presented a barnstormers party on Friday night, September 16. Pilot seminars, commercial exhibits, aircraft displays and special presentations were held on Saturday, September 17.
An estimated 172 aircraft flew in to the event. Several hundred cars were parked near Centennial Aircraft Services, the site of the fly-in. Duncan Aviation provided fuel, car rental and aircraft parking. A few attendees braved the elements and camped out.
Baker announced that more than 37,000 people have attended AOPA Regional Fly-Ins since the first event was held in 2014.
The next AOPA Regional Fly-In will be held September 30 and October 1, 2016 at Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona. For additional information, visit www.aopa.org.
