Colorado Pilots Association Flight Lines – July 2026 focuses on advocacy, safety, and community engagement as summer flying season peaks. President Andy Holmes emphasizes CPA’s ongoing work protecting airport access and promoting aviation across Colorado, with particular attention to issues at Longmont Airport and Centennial Airport’s hangar rate disputes. The newsletter highlights safety concerns related to wildfire smoke affecting visibility and encourages pilots to maintain conservative minimums. Additionally, CPA is recruiting volunteers for EAA AirVenture in late July to represent Colorado aviation at the organization’s flagship event.
Key Topics
- Airport Advocacy: Ongoing efforts at Longmont, Boulder, Meadow Lake, Rocky Mountain Metro, Centennial, and other Colorado airports to protect fair access and address council concerns
- Centennial Airport Access Issue: Denver Jet Center has doubled hangar rates without stakeholder input; CPA supporting legal efforts by Centennial Airport Pilots Association
- Safety & Wildfire Smoke: Warnings about reduced visibility from wildfire smoke affecting multiple Colorado airports; emphasis on thorough weather briefings and conservative minimums
- ATC Operations: Colorado Air & Space Port (KCFO) operating under ATC Zero status on weekends and after 6 PM weekdays due to staffing shortages
- Membership Directory: Transition to opt-in directory system for member privacy protection
- Mountain Flying: Reminders for summer pilots visiting Colorado
Events & Activities
- EAA AirVenture 2026: July 20–26 in Oshkosh; CPA partnering with CDOT Aeronautics for exhibitor booth featuring Colorado aviation promotion and safety discussions
- CPA Volunteer Opportunities: Seeking members to staff CDOT/CPA booth at AirVenture; volunteers receive free CPA t-shirt and networking opportunities
- Featured Destinations in Issue: Articles covering fly-ins, Memphis wrap-up, Grand Canyon wrap-up, and profiles of LaJunta, Nucla, and Spirit Engineering in Grand Junction
Member News
- Photo Credits: July 2026 issue features photography courtesy of Bradly Anderson (@Flywithbradly)
- Newsletter Deadline: August 2026 issue submission deadline is July 20
