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United States Pilots Association |
The USPA board and guests had a good meeting on Saturday morning, November 5, during the AOPA Expo at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, FL. Since USPA President Steve Uslan was unable to attend, the meeting was chaired by VP Meetings Duane Smith, who is also Immediate Past President of the Missouri Pilots Association.
At the request of USPA member Nancy Blake, special guest Karen Halverson brought those present information on the history and operation of LifeLine Pilots, based in Peoria, IL. Providing non-emergency free air transportation through volunteer pilots and their planes, financially distressed passengers with medical needs are transported for on-going medical treatments, diagnosis, and follow-up care. LifeLine Pilots is a member of the Air Care Alliance and works with other volunteer pilot organizations to extend the range of their services. Since USPA has not been called by FEMA as a resource, members are encouraged to affiliate with organizations such as LifeLine Pilots, who have been very effective in providing emergency services in times of need.
Among other items of business taken up by the USPA board, Duane requested members to look for pockets of pilots wanting to start their own local pilot organizations. USPA has all the paperwork necessary to start a local chapter under the auspices of USPA, which includes coming under USPA’s 501c3 authorization. This information can be found at www.uspilots.org. Jeff Griffiths is starting a local chapter in Arizona, and there is also interest in Pittsburgh, PA. Following this meeting, Dr. Phil Leib of Branson joined USPA as an Individual Member.
VP Meetings Arnold Zimmerman’s report on upcoming flyout/meetings finds USPA going to Tunica, MS, March 16-19, 2006, Oklahoma City June 15-18, Branson August 24-27, and San Antonio November 2-5. Since the USPA board will meet independently of AOPA Expo in 2006, the date has been set so that members can still attend Expo, which will be held in Palm Springs November 9-11. There has also been interest expressed on holding a meeting in Minnesota, and member Joe Burch suggested LaJitas, TX. Some light sport aircraft manufacturers have been invited to bring their beautiful new planes to the Branson flyout, providing test flights for those interested.
Since 2006 will bring the 25th anniversary of the founding of USPA, Duane requested information on any of the original founding fathers of the organization, that they may be recognized.
Bob Worthington’s Strategic Planning Committee is organized and will bring a report to the Tunica meeting in March, as well as a list of benefits for non-voting corporate sponsorships.
JC Zalog, USPA Webmaster, is working on pay-on-line membership renewals and meeting registration, which should be operational soon.
The AOPA Expo was once again a tremendous production, bringing the latest information, products, planes, and seminars to GA pilots. Nearly all USPA members are also members of AOPA, and are encouraged to attend the Expos. So why join USPA, too? USPA doesn’t compete with AOPA. There is no way our much smaller all-volunteer organization can compete with the very effective efforts of AOPA. However, we offer a great deal of worthwhile activities to compliment AOPA membership: eating and meeting together with your local chapter (fellowship), sponsoring local safety seminars and Wings Programs (education), flyouts with local groups (flying activities), and four USPA quarterly flyin/meetings at interesting locations throughout the country. In addition, USPA has tackled many aviation issues of concern to its members, whether or not AOPA is involved, oftentimes with great success. We may be smaller, but we don’t give up!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association