Why is general aviation important to you? An audience of 130 Denver-area pilots and aviation enthusiasts had an opportunity to share their answers with their senator Aug. 30 at a GA Serves America community event at Centennial Airport.

Oklahoma pilots talked about user fees, avgas, and more with AOPA President Craig Fuller and AOPA member U.S. Sen. James Inhofe during an Aug. 18 General Aviation Serves America community event at Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City.

New Mexico relies on GA for businesses, tourism, aviation training, agricultural applications, and police and fire protection. Gov. Bill Richardson recognized the importance of aviation to his state by proclaiming September 2010 "Aviation and Aerospace Appreciation Month."

Aviation in Kansas has an ally in its state legislature; elected officials are working together to ensure that Kansas aviation stays strong. A bipartisan coalition awarded airports 25 grants, totaling $1.3 million, to focus on airport development, airport and pilot safety, and airport maintenance.

The California Assembly overwhelmingly passed legislation Aug. 31 that would impose a moratorium on costly new flight training regulations in the state. The Senate had already adopted the bill, which now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California public-use airports would be assured the protection of an airport land-use commission under a bill passed by the state Assembly Aug. 30.

The AOPA Aircraft Financing Program's goal is to get pilots into the aircraft of their dreams. To help make aircraft ownership more attainable, the program just lowered its rates to make monthly payments more affordable.

There is not enough data nor is there a requirement for the Environmental Protection Agency to find that avgas represents an “endangerment” under the Clean Air Act, and careful study is needed before any decision about an alternative to leaded fuel can be reached, a coalition of industry groups told the agency in formal comments submitted Aug. 27.

Pilots in southern California had the opportunity Aug. 20 and 21 to find out more about what AOPA is doing to work on general aviation issues that matter to them - including the effects of costly flight school regulations, the transition to an unleaded avgas, and a potential airspace redesign that could restrict GA operations in the Los Angeles basin.

Limiting seaplane access to the northern and southern edges of Ross Lake in northern Washington is too restrictive, AOPA wrote in formal comments to the National Park Service.

The only remaining delay before Panama City, Fla., pilots can move into general aviation facilities at the new Northwest Florida-Panama City Airport is installation of the card access reader for the GA hangar areas, airport officials told AOPA Vice President of Airport Advocacy Bill Dunn during meetings Aug. 18 and 19.

The FAA's proposal to increase the Detroit Class B airspace ceiling to 10,000 feet msl and expand much of the airspace from 25 nautical miles to 30 nm lacks justification, AOPA wrote in formal comments Aug. 23.

A bill that would delay the implementation of costly new requirements for flight schools in California passed the state Senate Aug. 24.

For the first time in its history, the FAA is requiring that all aircraft be re-registered. To get started, review your aircraft registration card and see in which month your aircraft was originally registered.

Part 61 flight schools are not subject to the regulations and fees intended for "private vocational programs," the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education decided at a meeting Aug. 26

A bill that would delay the implementation of costly new requirements for flight schools in California passed the state Senate Aug. 24.

A.E. Purcifull, an insurance agent in Frankfort, Ind., says the best part of joining AOPA's Medical Services Program is, "It took the anxiety out of going in for the Medical."

As a member of AOPA, receive up to 40 percent off your next rental at Alamo, now through Sept. 20. Plus, Alamo is offering weekend rentals from $20 a day for AOPA members through the same time period.

AOPA Airports is a tremendous member benefit, and access will continue for free online to AOPA members. However, some pilots still prefer a hard copy of the directory in the cockpit or to browse through at home. For those members, AOPA will print a limited number of AOPA Airports in book format, available by order.

With the prospect of a transition to an unleaded avgas on the horizon, many prospective aircraft buyers are taking a renewed interest in what's under the cowling. AOPA President Craig Fuller met with officials at Teledyne Continental Motors in Mobile, Ala., Aug. 18 to get a firsthand look at the engines and discuss how the manufacturer is planning for an unleaded future.