AOPA Membership Dues increase

Henning said:
Katie,



This exemplifies my position and why I don't support AOPA anymore, the wrong issues are being given priority and often on the wrong side of the issue. I realize that jets are sometimes operated GA, but they have their own representative organizations with members that have finances rivaling small countries. SMO has a large base of very wealthy users, Let Angelina, Brad, Kurt... and the rest spend their money keeping SMO open. Heck, it would likely be as simple as limiting SMO to recip traffic and limiting the hours of high horsepower/decibel operations. The main qualm the neighborhood has had for a long time is jet traffic anyway. Does it serve the majority membership better to negotiate a restricted use facility, or try to protect jet traffic into SMO when there are other fields not far off?



AOPA shouldn't be prioritizing the membership money to save SMO, there are many more dollars available from other sources who have a direct vested interest in SMO, let those dollars get spent there.



AOPA should be getting behind the rapid enactment and enforcement of the GA Revitalization legislation and the implementation of the Experimental Non Commercial rules, and pushing to raise the applicable inventory to all recip aircraft <6000MGW.



This is the issue of greatest import to light GA, the body of people that made AOPA happen, and the organization that is supposed to represent us.



You sold us all down the river for the money that flies the shiny jets and I resent the hell out of you all for it. Get your acts together and start fighting the fights that matter to us, the small guys operating light planes for personal use outsides the extremes of what rational budgets would allow. We need this new category of operations in order to modernize our fleet otherwise the costs are greater than most planes are worth and carry no value forward in a sale. With this category we can put FADEC with electronic injection and timing with real time knock detection and elimination. This is the key to improved operating economy and reliability eliminating 'top overhauls' and all the cylinder and valve work expenses related in running leaded fuel and rich mixtures. Our airframes are doing just fine thank you, what we need is to be able to upgrade our engines from a 1950s technology and bring our panels up to date and ready for when ADS-B comes into effect, cost effectively all using tried and true multi generation technology that started development in the 1970s.



Why don't I see or hear about AOPA fighting for this?
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While I appreciate Katie coming on to POA to address this, this is a great post, Henning. I don't think the NBAA really needs backup from the AOPA.
 
paflyer said:
Wondering what your background is in association management. Do you think it's good practice to have only 4 months of revenues in reserve?
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I've never had the pleasure of running a nonprofit. The closest I've come is to be on the investment committee of a 501(c)3. I've been on the outside (CEO/For-Profit) looking in and jealous. I have no doubt that AOPA can forecast its next quarter revenue within 5%, a luxury I've never enjoyed. Probably they can forecast their next 12 months to 5%!

I actually don't think they need even 4 months of reserve. There are two issues. First, what can happen that will suddenly upset revenue? The great California earthquake? When revenue changes slowly, as AOPA's does, the consequences can be managed and there is really little need for reserves at all. Second, their expenses are in headcount and that is easy to manage. Unlike something with huge fixed costs like a hospital or a power plant, AOPA's costs are mostly variable. Insurance sales go down? Reduce headcount in the agency. Magazine advertising income goes down? Reduce the page count by eliminating some of the self-promotional puffery. Reduce editorial if necessary. Running AOPA just cannot be a hard management problem.

Re lobbying, effectiveness, etc. Many say that is reason enough to support AOPA. That's a personal decison. But those who feel that way should at least understand that they are funding the perpetuation of a financially irresponsible and opaque organization run by an invisible and self-perpetuating clique of directors. What I'd like to see (and it won't happen) is that enough members quit that it gets AOPA's attention and causes fundamental changes -- producing an organization that is really about members as participants and not just members as revenue sources. When that happens I'll happily rejoin.
 
docmirror said:
Zero, zip, nada of the complainers on here have said anything about the base dollar amount. I came closest with my rant about the percentage of the base, but if you'll read carefully the issue with AOPA is it's ineffectiveness and lack of utility to GA at any price.



I'd pay $100/year if I could get representation that was suitable to the mainstream GA flier like most of us.



The day AOPA bought the jet, was the most telling of all. And then to block it's movements from the people paying the tab! Give em credit, they do have big 'nads. :yes:



I knew right then it was full-on left wing elitists lighting cigars with members money. eff that. $71 MILLION in the bank, and you guys are still lubing up and bending over. :lol:
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So I take it you don't spend much time at the AOPA tent at AirVenture? ;)
 
I know a $14 increase in dues a year is annoying, but I believe it is still a necessary evil. While AOPA doesn't always do what we want them to, they at least do something to represent us. Without any form of representation GA would probably be banned within a decade or two. We are such a small minority in the population. Add to the fact that we would respond to government oppression by annoying those against us (see Lear Jet post, which would be awesome in the short term, but no so much in the long run) and we would probably all be grounded to make drone integration into the NAS easier. Not to mention stopping the complaints of the idiots who knowingly chose to live by an airport and can't stand the noise. So while AOPA does have many flaws, I don't see anyone else willing to waste their lives talking to politicians.
 
AOPA killed a drivers license medical proposal and is 100% pro ADS-B if you fly something with a reciprocating engine(or no engine) they are your enemy.
 
garyb said:
No, but the government is.
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No, they are just the puppets you are supposed to believe is the enemy. The enemy is who use their money to buy and control our government. Don't get distracted by the hired help, these people buy politicians like they buy maids.
 
Henning said:
No, they are just the puppets you are supposed to believe is the enemy. The enemy is who use their money to buy and control our government. Don't get distracted by the hired help, these people buy politicians like they buy maids.
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Perhaps, but in the end, what's the difference?
 
garyb said:
Perhaps, but in the end, what's the difference?
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In the end, your struggle with one is just a bunch of whining bull**** which leaves you playing 3 games behind in a meaningless league. The other group when properly convicted of the Capital Offenses (as well as Crimes against Humanity) will open up the path for a new government, economy, and society, just like the first American Revolution that was lost in 1913 when we sold the economy to the same banking families we fought the revolution to escape; also the reason the Second Amendment was penned.
 
On my last renewal I paid a few years in advance. I wonder if I will get a bill for the difference?

Tony
 
Still a bargain IMO.

Henning made some good points. Mr. Baker seems to be rowing in the right direction. Mailings are down, too.

I would consider "lifetime plus" if it carried same early bird discount as others.
 
Aztec Driver said:
What is humorous is I can't find any way to opt out of automatic renewal on their website.:D
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Cancel the card and have it reissued with a different number - they will eventually call you looking for your money and you can tell them why they aren't going to get it.
 
airguy said:
Cancel the card and have it reissued with a different number - they will eventually call you looking for your money and you can tell them why they aren't going to get it.
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And get a hat.
 
I just don't understand why every time you guys get someone from AOPA here you drive them away.... It makes no sense.:no:
 
retailguy said:
I just don't understand why every time you guys get someone from AOPA here you drive them away.... It makes no sense.:no:
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No one from AOPA(sic) has ever been banned from this site. They are welcome to come and discuss, and defend their idiotic platform and the insane financial methods. We will read, and evaluate same as we do someone who wants to safely operate over max gross, or any other craptastic idea.
 
dans2992 said:
Agreed. Personally, I can't wait until I can equip my plane and see nearly all traffic.
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Do not confuse ADS-B IN with ADS-B OUT. One is going to be mandated, the other is not, and one is being useful to the pilot, the other is of little use to the pilot, but great use to the feds.
 
docmirror said:
Do not confuse ADS-B IN with ADS-B OUT. One is going to be mandated, the other is not, and one is being useful to the pilot, the other is of little use to the pilot, but great use to the feds.
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If everyone is on ADSB-out it will make the INs work a whole lot better.
 
If we make everyone wear a GPS enabled ankle bracelet that would make tracing thieves and wives easier too. Heck, why don't we just get an ID implant at birth and be done with it.
 
docmirror said:
The day AOPA bought the jet, was the most telling of all. And then to block it's movements from the people paying the tab! Give em credit, they do have big 'nads. :yes:

I knew right then it was full-on left wing elitists lighting cigars with members money. eff that. $71 MILLION in the bank, and you guys are still lubing up and bending over. :lol:
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Without regard to dues, finances, or anything else, it gripes me when folks moan about the Citation and the rest of the fleet. If the premier advocacy group representing GA can't actually use GA in their mission, what does that say? It would be sort of like Cessna or Piper or Beech disallowing business travel by personal aircraft (which I believe they do.) It would be like the Honchos at GM driving Chrysler 300s or Nissan 370Zs instead of Cadillacs and Corvettes..

When you are trying to advocate for the utility, safety, economics and flexibility and advantages of general aviation, trying to maintain our ability to fly without onerous taxes, rules, limitations, and restrictions you have to put your money where your mouth is.

AOPA uses the fleet in that endeavor and chooses the appropriate aircraft for the mission. If anyone can show me abuses of the aircraft, unreimbursed personal travel, junkets, or other waste, please post it. Otherwise I suggest you STFU.
 
Mason said:
When you are trying to advocate for the utility, safety, economics and flexibility and advantages of general aviation, trying to maintain our ability to fly without onerous taxes, rules, limitations, and restrictions you have to put your money where your mouth is.

AOPA uses the fleet in that endeavor and chooses the appropriate aircraft for the mission. If anyone can show me abuses of the aircraft, unreimbursed personal travel, junkets, or other waste, please post it. Otherwise I suggest you STFU.
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Since you quoted me, I suggest you read what I wrote about the movements of the plane being blocked, and read what others have wrote about the secrecy behind the mgmt and financial reporting. Then - go sit over there and STFU.

I do put my money where my mouth is every day. If you don't like it, I can show you were the ignore button is, and my user ID is right up in the left corner. Make use of it and do us both a favor.
 
Katie Pribyl said:
Thanks for your reply, Josh. I hope you can join us at one of our regional fly-ins - designed to do just what you have suggested: getting out to our members where they fly and interact and engage with them.
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(Grumble... Minor pet-peeve triggered...)

Not a single event in a Rocky Mountain or Great Plains State... Big fat hole in the middle of the Country.

Closest event to Colorado is Texas. Doable as a one day ass-kicking trip in most GA singles but not exactly "regional".

East Coast, four events. West Coast, two events. South coast, one event. Midwest, two events.

Rocky Mountain region? Nada. Zip. Zilch.

me3udymu.jpg


Frankly, if I were hard pressed for cash, I'd pay the Colorado Pilot's Assn dues before the AOPA dues at this point. At least they negotiated a fuel discount at my home field for members.

Order of importance on aviation memberships right now...

Foreflight - I'll pay this if I'm living in a van down by the river. :)

Cessna Pilot's Assn - Saves me the most money with serious maintenance articles and real solutions as well as real prices listed, even of advertisers. Not afraid to pee on advertiser's parades. (AOPA won't even publish hard numbers on the mods added to the "better than new" sweepstakes aircraft. Might as well remove "Owners" from the name. Owner info, is exceedingly sparse. I dread the day John closes up shop at CPA. AOPA has no such expertise for Cessna owners.)

Colorado Pilot's Assn - Negotiated a fuel discount at my home base for members. (Haven't seen that from AOPA since the 90's.)

EAA - Required to camp at OSH. Best magazine I don't gave time to read. ;)

AOPA - Last on the list. Keep it mostly because I can afford it without it being all that useful.

These guys could easily get my AOPA funds soon. They're doing far more to protect flying near and around me, than AOPA has done in a couple of decades...

http://www.theraf.org
 
dans2992 said:
Agreed. Personally, I can't wait until I can equip my plane and see nearly all traffic.
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That is the scary part. Pilots already assume all traffic is available to them on TV. They will be even worse with ADS-B. Look outside, nah, we got 200 TV channels in this thing.
 
ClimbnSink said:
That is the scary part. Pilots already assume all traffic is available to them on TV. They will be even worse with ADS-B. Look outside, nah, we got 200 TV channels in this thing.
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Technology is not the enemy, stupid people are.
 
Mason said:
Without regard to dues, finances, or anything else, it gripes me when folks moan about the Citation and the rest of the fleet. If the premier advocacy group representing GA can't actually use GA in their mission, what does that say? It would be sort of like Cessna or Piper or Beech disallowing business travel by personal aircraft (which I believe they do.) It would be like the Honchos at GM driving Chrysler 300s or Nissan 370Zs instead of Cadillacs and Corvettes..

When you are trying to advocate for the utility, safety, economics and flexibility and advantages of general aviation, trying to maintain our ability to fly without onerous taxes, rules, limitations, and restrictions you have to put your money where your mouth is.

AOPA uses the fleet in that endeavor and chooses the appropriate aircraft for the mission. If anyone can show me abuses of the aircraft, unreimbursed personal travel, junkets, or other waste, please post it. Otherwise I suggest you STFU.
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The Business Jet Advocacy organization doesn't own a business jet.:yes: And STFU is not a very good defense of an organization. Funny that the best defense for AOPA is don't talk about AOPA.
 
docmirror said:
No one from AOPA(sic) has ever been banned from this site. They are welcome to come and discuss, and defend their idiotic platform and the insane financial methods. We will read, and evaluate same as we do someone who wants to safely operate over max gross, or any other craptastic idea.
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Got it. So if you think it's stupid, then it's stupid. I can see why they post once or twice and then leave. That's what is going to happen for me in this thread too.
 
retailguy said:
Got it. So if you think it's stupid, then it's stupid. I can see why they post once or twice and then leave. That's what is going to happen for me in this thread too.
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So, feedback is not allowed? If someone comes here hawking their wares then they are to be unquestioned? Why does someone from AOPA, whose actions of shutting down their board is what motivated Chuck to build this one, have the right to expect fealty from participants here?
 
Henning said:
So, feedback is not allowed? If someone comes here hawking their wares then they are to be unquestioned? Why does someone from AOPA, whose actions of shutting down their board is what motivated Chuck to build this one, have the right to expect fealty from participants here?
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Feedback? Seriously? This thread is not feedback. It's griping, bitching, whining and moaning. Too many folks in this world only want to tell others what to do, but don't want to do it themselves. If you don't think AOPA is a good value don't join. If you don't think they are supporting the right initiatives, then YOU lead them, or watch them pass you by.
 
I let my AOPA 20+ year membership lapse when they refused to even quote me liability insurance because of my age. I know they are acting only as a broker, but they choose the company with age limits. If I am too old for the insurance they are selling, then I came to believe I was too old to be a member. This was even before the yearly price increase.
 
denverpilot said:
(Grumble... Minor pet-peeve triggered...)
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Not trying to kill your buzz but Chapter 43 sent an email out today with the RMA Expo flyer attached. (CPA - June 21 - FNL)

[from the center of the flyer]
AOPA President Mark Baker will present a town hall meeting during the lunch period. AOPA Air Safety Institute representatives will offer seminars in the morning and afternoon.

Not an AOPA event per se, but you can get up close and personal with Mark and ask what's up.
 
JohnF said:
Not trying to kill your buzz but Chapter 43 sent an email out today with the RMA Expo flyer attached. (CPA - June 21 - FNL)

[from the center of the flyer]
AOPA President Mark Baker will present a town hall meeting during the lunch period. AOPA Air Safety Institute representatives will offer seminars in the morning and afternoon.

Not an AOPA event per se, but you can get up close and personal with Mark and ask what's up.
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Can we track him in the jet ( N4GA ) we bought ??:idea:......:dunno:....
 
Henning said:
In the end, your struggle with one is just a bunch of whining bull**** which leaves you playing 3 games behind in a meaningless league. The other group when properly convicted of the Capital Offenses (as well as Crimes against Humanity) will open up the path for a new government, economy, and society, just like the first American Revolution that was lost in 1913 when we sold the economy to the same banking families we fought the revolution to escape; also the reason the Second Amendment was penned.
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For you maybe, but I'm not "down for the struggle." Romans, Huns, Goths, I don't care who's in charge. I, like the peasant farmer, just don't want to be hassled and don't want my every move tracked (read: taxed).
 
airguy said:
I cancelled my AOPA membership a few years back because the value I received was not worth the price I was charged - and that was before they took a 30% hike.

Good luck with that.
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+1:yes:
 
garyb said:
For you maybe, but I'm not "down for the struggle." Romans, Huns, Goths, I don't care who's in charge. I, like the peasant farmer, just don't want to be hassled and don't want my every move tracked (read: taxed).
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Yep, but you won't get what you want because you won't put forth the effort to make it happen. Never in the history of humanity has your wish been a reality.
 
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