Volume 19, No. 7 – July 2002
The July 2002 issue of Flight Lines focuses on the declining state of general aviation in America and the importance of community engagement. The President's Message highlights a dramatic decrease in certified pilots from 764,182 (1990) to 625,581 (2000), while the U.S. population continues to grow. The newsletter emphasizes that pilots represent only two-tenths of one percent of the population and advocates for a "grassroots approach" to improve public perception through participation in airport open house events, such as the Fort Morgan Airport open house on June 22nd. Additionally, the issue introduces the re-formed Backcountry Airstrip Committee, which aims to document and preserve Colorado's backcountry landing strips—a resource currently available in other western states but largely underdeveloped in Colorado.
The newsletter also covers important legislative recognition for general aviation. Colorado honored AOPA President Phil Boyer on July 25th through Senate Joint Resolution 02-026, recognizing his leadership in reopening the skies to general aviation following September 11th. CPA members State Senator Lewis Entz and State Representative Alice Borodkin jointly sponsored this resolution and are being recognized for their continued support of aviation issues.
Key Topics
- Declining pilot population statistics and impact on general aviation
- Public perception of pilots and aviation community
- Grassroots approach to improving aviation's public image through airport events
- Backcountry Airstrip Committee reformation and documentation efforts
- Research methods for locating undocumented Colorado airstrips
- Legislative support for general aviation post-September 11th
- Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) preliminary legislative proposals
Events & Activities
- Fort Morgan Airport Open House – June 22, 2002 (fly-in breakfast with 25+ aircraft)
- AOPA President Phil Boyer Recognition – July 25, 2002, Denver (National Council of State Legislators annual meeting)
Member News
- Jan McKenzie – Featured as CPA Fly-in Event Chairman with her Mooney M231
- Dick Jones – Displayed his T-6 aircraft at Fort Morgan Airport Open House
- Ed Huber – Participated with his T-6 aircraft at Fort Morgan event
- Lewis Entz – State Senator and CPA member; co-sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 02-026 honoring AOPA President Phil Boyer
- Alice Borodkin – State Representative and CPA member; co-sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 02-026; both up for re-election in November 2002
