Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) experienced significant activity and growth throughout 2024. President Adrian Nye’s comprehensive year-in-review highlights the organization’s accomplishments across multiple committees and initiatives led entirely by volunteers. Key achievements include the creation of two new committees (Community Relations and Social), establishment of CPA’s first booth at Oshkosh in partnership with CDOT, successful legislative advocacy work, and expansion of the Mountain Flying Program—a nationally recognized training initiative now in its 34th year. The organization has also strengthened its volunteer leadership structure by recruiting new chairs for Airspace, Backcountry, Education, Airport/Area Representatives, and other critical roles, while modernizing operations through website improvements and transitioning payment systems from PayPal to Stripe.
CPA’s reach and impact extend across multiple domains of general aviation advocacy and education. The organization successfully defended aviation interests in legislative matters, including modifying HB24-1235 and preventing the closure of Boulder Airport through citizen initiative opposition. Officers and committee chairs have worked diligently on airspace advocacy, community relations, flight safety programming, fly-in coordination, and scholarship expansion. The Mountain Flying Program continues to set national standards, having trained over 2,000 students across three to four classes annually, with recent enhancements including FAA support for visual waypoint additions to Colorado mountain pass charts.
Key Topics
- 2024 volunteer leadership accomplishments across all CPA committees
- New committees created: Community Relations and Social
- Mountain Flying Program expansion and national recognition (34 years, 2,000+ students trained)
- Legislative advocacy and political activities (HB24-1235 modifications, Boulder Airport protection)
- Website modernization and payment system transition (PayPal to Stripe)
- Scholarship program expansion and education outreach in schools
- Airspace advocacy and Denver-area airspace safety initiatives
- Backcountry strip expansion efforts and AOPA coalition participation
- Monthly CPA Presents video/zoom presentations with nationally recognized speakers
- Community relations and noise roundtable participation
- First annual CPA/CDOT booth at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Member News
- Recorder Laurie Garrett is resigning at the end of 2024; CPA seeks replacement
- Backcountry Chair Keith Serkes has rejoined the committee and plans to attend AOPA Backcountry Coalition Summit in Idaho
- Bill Dunn (Mountain Flying Assistant Chair) collaborated with FAA and CDOT to add visual waypoints to Colorado mountain pass charts
- Andrew Holmes is new Newsletter Editor bringing energy and improvements to publication
- Jordan Bishop is new Social Chair organizing social and educational activities
- Deborah Cassel is managing CPA’s social media accounts (previously neglected)
- Education Committee includes helpers: Chris Kilker, Ilana Steele, Dominic Pena, and Kelly Kang
- Bill Standerfer (Mountain Flying Chair) has taught seminars at EAA AirVenture, encouraging nearly 2,000 pilots to pursue mountain training
