An open letter to KBZN AOPA ASN volunteer

Good Morning —

Did you catch the agenda for this week’s Gallatin Airport Authority board meeting? [12 February 2009] There are three important items on the list. They are excellent opportunities for AOPA ASN to exercise the power of their membership by making GA’s voice heard loud and clear.

Item #4. Report on Airport Director recruitment – Richard Roehm

— We local GA pilots should have a say in the interviews, not merely be presented with the board’s replacement choice. The hiring process is already tainted because the committee has been permitted to operate contrary to Montana open meeting standards. Let’s insure that this powerful administrator will be GA friendly!

Item #5. Report on TSA general aviation security directive – Paul Schneider

— It is outrageous what TSA is foisting upon pilots. Current talk has been about requiring large aircraft to go through airline-style passenger screening. What many pilots don’t know about is TSA’s plan to require ALL pilots based at airports served by airlines to undergo FBI background checks!!! This will kill General Aviation faster than fuel prices or a poor economy. Local AOPA representation is crucial during this presentation.

Item #7. Review airport outreach and public relations measures

— What is this? The airport has no “outreach” program unless it involves reaching out to other government entities or funding sources. They have consistently voted down any attempt to expand public involvement in board operations. Perhaps AOPA through ASN can bring some GA and public check-and-balance to this government entity.

Regards —

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