Airport Support
Yes – The California Pilots Association will assist and guide your organization in the resolution of, and suggest a strategy to address your airport’s issues. We cannot however, lead each fight. Locals are required to do the ongoing groundwork to resolve their airport issues.
It is important to understand that organized local aviators are the first defense of their airport. Being proactive is important, since being reactive means lost time which might be critical to issue resolution. CALPILOTS’ position is that all airport users should belong to their local airport/pilot organization (see Three Tiered Defense).
Organizational Information
The easiest way to contact CalPilot’s is by using the Contact Form; Contact
The following points are very effective:
- It is important to educate and organize.
- If you do not belong to a local airport/pilot organization, then join one. If none exists, then it is time to start one – we can help you
- Determine who your airport decision-makers are, county or city council. Then establish a working relationship, and don’t forget to include city/county planners and the airport manager
- Become educated and involved in all airport matters
- Attend council meetings with airport related business, especially new development proposals
- Work together with your airport manager – Why? – because he/she can be a huge asset helping you deal with issues at hand
- Get involved – each of us can do something to help, no matter how small
The board of California Pilots Association is made up of statewide volunteers serving two-year terms. We are constantly seeking volunteers; if you are interested please contact us.
Established in 1949, we are a statewide non-profit committed to the support of our state general aviation airports and flight privileges.
Our objectives are:
- Growing General Aviation
- Airport/infrastructure support and advocacy
- Advice/Expert Testimony
- Research, Education/Information, and
- Events – such as our Annual Meeting and statewide meet and greet meetings
We are a statewide non-profit served by volunteers. All money collected in the form of dues or donations is used to deal with the many issues that our airports face – no one is paid. To continue our success, we need your support. A membership is less than 10 cents per day. Aren’t your airport and your aviator privileges worth that amount? Please join us in helping you in protecting your airport.
Membership Information
For individuals, membership dues are $35.00 per year (that’s one less Starbucks Coffee a month – isn’t your airport worth that small sacrifice?). We also offer a Lifetime Membership for $500.00.
For organizations and businesses, we have organizational membership for $100.00 per year. There is also a CalPilots Partner membership for $250.00 per year.
There are a number of ways that your annual dues support the organization. We have a bi-monthly newsletter we use to communicate with aviators statewide, and a website we use to communicate with aviators and other interested parties worldwide. We also cover expenses such as travel (i.e. mileage) costs for board members who travel to speak to groups, and on California Pilots Association business such as trips to Sacramento to work with Legislators, etc.
In some situations, we have had to resort to filing lawsuits, over a dozen to date, to require the airport administrative entities to follow the law. The costs associated with the lawsuits are also covered by dues. Most of our legal work, however, is done pro-bono. As a volunteer organization, there are no salaries or payroll.
The short answer is that while the national aviation organizations all do an admirable job, they can no longer do it all. The issues surrounding our general aviation airports are increasing. We believe that every aviation enthusiast, pilot or not, should belong to their aviation organizations at the local, statewide, and national levels. We believe that each of us has to do more to protect our general aviation airports.
We call it the “Three Tiered Defense” – Local – Statewide – and National. All three tiers need to work together to accomplish the goal. This is only beginning to happen. Further, we have to change our mindsets to understand that we can no longer protect our airports by writing a check to one of the national aviation organizations. It is now imperative that all get involved. Each of us can do something to help, no matter how small. What have we done for you lately – check it out.
Anyone who shares an interest in aviation is invited to join.