The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is considering a revision to its bylaws that would make several changes to the way trustees are selected.
For starters, the proposed amendments establish new qualifications for trustees, implement trustee term limits, and empower members to nominate trustees.
The proposed revisions will be voted on at a special meeting slated for September 19 at the National Aviation Community Center at Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK) in Maryland. Members are encouraged to attend or vote by proxy if unable to do so.
The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m., with lunch to follow.
The language in the 14-page proposal appears to address much of the criticism the organization has faced over the removal of former CEO Darren Pleasance in February and the May 12 meeting held in Frederick. Of particular concern was the impression that trustees are appointed without term limits and as such don’t necessarily represent a broad cross-section of active membership.
The new bylaws propose setting a term limit of four consecutive three-year terms by any member of the board of trustees. A nominating committee will still determine who can run for a trustee position, but the nominating committee will be expanded from two to three members and the committee will be chosen by a vote of the board.
AOPA was established on May 15, 1939, to protect the freedom to fly and represent the interests of general aviation pilots. The organization has grown into one that offers pilots guidance on aviation-related medical issues, aircraft insurance, training and trip planning, and assistance to pilots and aviation businesses trying to protect their airports from encroachment.