Look Who’s
Listening…
By David Sakrison
Every year, EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh draws more aviation enthusiasts than any other event in the
world. They come here to look, to learn, to share, and to celebrate the
joys and wonders of aviation. For many "aeroheads" and
"wing nuts," pilots and non-pilots, coming to Oshkosh is a
pilgrimage. For others, it is an annual reunion of the world’s largest
aviation family.
There’s another side to
AirVenture—a "convention behind the convention"—that most
who come to Oshkosh rarely see, but that has a unique influence and
impact on aviation. During the coming week, federal, state, and local
aviation officials will visit AirVenture. Administrators and directors
from the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation, officials from the
federal Department of Homeland Security, and members of Congress will be
here. They’ll be joined by state aviation officials, local airport
managers, air traffic controllers, and aviation directors from several
foreign countries. No other event and no other organization draws as
many aviation-related officials as EAA AirVenture.
They come here to work
(though we do hope they have a little bit of fun, as well).
They will meet with EAA
staff, aviation manufacturers, and representatives from aircraft type
clubs and with aircraft owners, builders, and pilots. They come here
because AirVenture offers them a unique opportunity to listen to people
at the grassroots of aviation.
And for most of them, it’s
not just a quick visit, a VIP tour, and a few handshakes. They come for
days—or the week, according to Earl Lawrence, EAA’s vice president
for government and public affairs. And they spend most of their time in
meetings, addressing issue after issue.
Here are just some of the
people who will be visiting AirVenture this week:
-
Maria Cino, Acting
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
-
Marion Blakey, FAA
Administrator
-
Fred Tilton: Federal
Air Surgeon
-
Robert Sturgell, FAA
Deputy Administrator
-
Nick Sabatini, FAA
Office of the Associate Administrator
-
A large contingent of
FAA directors, regulators, inspectors, and other officials
They come to AirVenture
to learn and to seek creative and cooperative solutions to the
challenges facing aviation. They come here because they know that
"Oshkosh is where it happens."
Since its founding more
than 50 years ago, EAA has been an effective advocate for the cause of
sport aviation. EAA’s primary responsibility is to its members. And
part of EAA’s mission is to advocate for aviation and to build bridges
and facilitate cooperation between aviators and government regulators.
In carrying out that mission, EAA serves not only its members, but also
the entire general aviation community. Working cooperatively with the
FAA and other government agencies, EAA has helped to facilitate changes
in manufacturing standards, safety standards, pilot training, aircraft
certification, medical certification, and regulatory procedures.
To help preserve general
aviation and sport aviation for future generations, EAA brings pilots,
manufacturers, and government officials to the table to seek creative
solutions, to make sport aviation more accessible and more affordable.
That cooperative effort led to the new sport pilot certificate and the
new light-sport aircraft category. It’s an ongoing effort, and EAA
will continue its role as an effective advocate for sport pilots and for
general aviation.
Through these efforts,
EAA has helped to foster a sense of common goals among government
regulators and their constituents.
Throughout the year, EAA works with
government administrators and regulators to represent our members and to
advocate for programs and changes that will ensure the future of sport
aviation. EAA carries your voices and your concerns to the public
officials who make the decisions and implement the programs that affect
aviation.
