by Bryan Budds, Manager
AOPA Great Lakes Region
As 2012 came to a close, all seven AOPA Regional Managers came together at the AOPA Aviation Summit held this year in Palm Springs, Calif., October 11-13, to discuss the first year of the revamped regional program and to outline our plans for the future. During those conversations, a year-end ledger of sorts was compiled of our activity across the country. I was impressed, but not at all surprised given the caliber and dedication of the regional managers, that our activity – coupled with the AOPA Government Affairs staff at headquarters – saved our members more than $100 million in state taxes alone. Locally, a portion of that total comes from the prevention of registration fee hikes and fuel tax increases totaling a savings of more than $13 million to pilots who fly in Michigan and Illinois.
But that $100 million saved is only part of the regional manager story. Government interaction on behalf of AOPA members is certainly a large part of what we do, but it is not all we do.
Over the course of this year, the regional manager team attended more than 125 events that would have been beyond the reach of AOPA prior to 2012. I’m very proud to say that AOPA was able to support or attend events in each of the eight (8) states that encompass the Great Lakes Region, with many states having multiple events. From the AOPA “Pilot Mix and Mingle” in Madison, Wisconsin, to the AOPA exhibit at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium in Bismarck, N.D., to the AOPA booth at Mason Aviation Days in Mason, Michigan and many, many more, AOPA has greatly extended its reach into the local pilot community. This direct interaction with members and pilots is key to our mission and remains our central focus as we look forward to 2013.
As AOPA sets it sights on the now fledgling legislative sessions in the Great Lakes Region, keep an eye on your email inboxes for AOPA Action Alerts on policy issues in your state. Your local voice is absolutely critical to our success working with states. In the meantime, I’m always happy to talk with you directly at bryan.budds@aopa.org or www.twitter.com/aopagreatlakes, www.aopa.org/asn or attend the 2013 AOPA Aviation Summit, October 10-12 in Ft. Worth, Texas.
