USPA News

HOW DOES USPA WORK?

USPA officers are frequently asked what USPA does and how it decides what to do. Those are very good questions, and deserving of answers.

Simply put, USPA responds to the GA concerns of our membership, turning toward problems affecting general aviation, utilizing our members, officers, and directors with the intent of resolving problems in favor of pilots and aircraft owners. We also conduct regular aviation safety seminars and Wings Weekends. And certainly not least or last, we have wonderful aviation fellowship and aviation education in connection with our quarterly flyin/meetings and other events throughout the year.

As an unsalaried, volunteer organization with a 501 C 3 designation (non-profit), we exist solely for the benefit of General Aviation

So what are these items we tackle and how effective are we? Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. And sometimes it’s a draw. For instance, we were extremely effective in assisting the West Houston Airport in getting its eight instrument approaches back on line. We totally defeated a tall tower which would have been built near a proposed new airport in Branson West, MO. We totally defeated another tower, working together with the Missouri Pilots Association, near the M. Graham Clark Airport at Pt. Lookout, MO. We have worked with MPA and AOPA, but have not yet succeeded in passing the Missouri Airport Protection Act, to create state-wide zoning which would allow the Missouri Aviation Division to approve or reject towers proposed in the vicinity of existing or proposed airports. We are working with USPA member Leslie Weinstein and the SBA concerning FAA regulations that are harmful to aviation businesses. And President Steve Uslan, Past President Chuck Huber, along with others including VP Bob Worthington are continuing efforts on a number of issues about which you’ll hear from time to time.

Bottom line: If you have a threatened airport, a proposed tower, an area of pilots who could benefit from a safety seminar or Wings Weekend, etc., let us hear from you. Our members determine our attention and our efforts. You can contact Steve at suslan@wtie.net or me at jan@uspilots.org. Also see www.uspilots.org.

And while you’re at it, put our next flyin/meeting on your calendar and BE THERE: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 23, Long Beach, CA, in conjunction with the AOPA Expo. We want to hear from you.

Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association

Posted by Jan at September 9, 2004 11:17 AM