Most Frequently Asked Questions - California Pilots Association

Q: What is the California Pilots Association?
A: The California Pilots Association is a statewide, non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is the promotion, preservation and protection of California’s general aviation airports. We realize that protecting our state's airports isn't as glamorous as some general avaition activities, but ask yourself - Where will you land after your airport is closed?

Q: When was the California Pilots Association established?
A: The California Pilots Association was established in 1949. It has been known by a number of different names since then, but Airport Advocacy has always been our mission. The visionary group of people who started the organization in 1949 understood that something had to be done to save our general aviation airports. In our current form, we are much more active, and remain a continuance of that early vision. 


Q: Why was the California Pilots Association formed?
A: California has lost many of its general aviation airports over the years. Not many seemed to notice or care from the late 1940's through the late 1960's when it started to become obvious that something had to be done, due to the same issue we have today - encroachment. Lack of planning, in some cases bad planning, and short sightedness on the part of many elected and public officials as well as pilot apathy has brought us to the situation we face today. The California Pilots Association was formed to address these general aviation airport losses. In a sense, we formed to protect the state from itself, since the state government was, and is still not, addressing the ongoing loss of irreplaceable assets, its airports. These airports play a vital role in the states' economy and transportation infrastructure.

Q: How many of the state’s general aviation airports have been closed?
A: Since 1990 over 30 of our airports have been lost and we will never recover any of them. It is difficult to estimate how many have been closed in the last 50 years, but we can approximate that 60-70 airports have been closed.

Q: Who serves as Board Members of the California Pilots Association?
A: The board of California Pilots Association is made up of volunteers from across the state, serving two year terms. We are constantly seeking volunteers to assist us in our efforts to promote and protect our state’s general aviation airports. If you are interested please contact us.

Q: Why should I join the California Plots Association, since I already belong to one or more national aviation organizations such as AOPA, EAA, 99’s or NBAA?

A: 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 mind sets 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.

Q: How much are dues?
A: Annual dues for individuals are $35.00 per year. That’s one less Starbucks Coffee a month. Isn’t your airport worth that small sacrifice? We also have Chapters and Member Organizations, which cost $50.00 per year; and what we call Business Partners which pay $250.00 per year. We also offer a Lifetime Membership for $500.00.

Q: How does the money from my dues get spent?
A: 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 worse case scenarios we have had to resort to filing lawsuits, over a dozen to date, to get the airport sponsor(s) to follow the law. The costs associated with the law suits 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.

Q: How can I contact a board member in my area?
A: The easiest way to contact us is using the Contact button on this website, www.calpilots.org.  In the CalPilots Board section, you will also find a map which shows the state’s five regions. From this web page you can email or call your local representative based upon where you reside.

Q: Do I have to be a pilot to become a member of the California Pilots Association?
A: No - anyone who shares the interest in aviation is invited to join.

Q: How can I protect my airport?
A: It is always best to be on top of airport issues before they become problems. Being Proactive is always better than being Reactive. CALPILOTS position is everyone should belong to a local airport/pilot organization. Organized local aviators are the best first defense of their airport. Make no mistake, it takes work and perseverance, but it can be done, our ongoing efforts are proof.

Q: Can the California Pilots Association help resolve local issues at my airport?
A: The California Pilots Association can help guide your organization in the resolution of, and suggest a strategy to use to address your airport’s issues, but we cannot lead the fight. Local individuals are required to do the ongoing ground work to resolve their airport issues. It requires dedication at the local level to be successful, but those that choose to do so benefit as a result.

Q: Are there any airport related issues that the California Pilots Association does not deal with?
A: Yes, there are a few where it is best to allow the pilots and the airport management to resolve the issues themselves. Standard hangar rent /tie down fee increases are best left to local pilots to resolve, as well as airport manager relationship issues, although this type of issue is not the norm. We have found that these typically emotionally charged issues require that all parties sit down in a businesslike manner to resolve them. In this day of ongoing annual state budget crisis, partnerships are far better than adversarial situations. It is important for all to remember that

Q: What advice can you provide to pilots on how to protect their airports?
A: It is critical to organize at the local level. 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 if you.

It will take dedication and hard work to be successful. Do your research and determine who the decision makers are for your airport, i.e., County or City Council. Establish a relationship with everyone, including the city planners. That is what the developers do, and we must do the same. Attend every council meeting that has any type of airport related business associated with it, including new development proposals in close proximity to the airport. Become involved and educated in airport matters. Work together with your airport manager. And finally, understand that we can no longer protect our airports by solely writing a check to one of the national aviation organizations, we all have to get involved. Each of us can do something to help, no matter how small.

Q: Why are there so many issues surrounding airports?
A: The short answer is that airports are developed with open land surrounding them to mitigate the inevitable noise and safety issues associated with aviation. In the case of California, guidelines were developed by the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics (DoA), that are supposed to be used to determine what type of development can be approved in specific areas around airports, called Safety Zones. It is that same open land area that attracts developers in pursuit of profits.

Over the years, lack of general aviation organization strength and oversight has permitted many developers to create relationships far too close to elected and other city/county officials. Many of these officials tend to think short term only about tax revenues, ignoring the inevitable long term problems airport encroachment brings with it—and thereby eliminates the tax base advantages. Since many elected and public officials decline to follow the letter of the process for development around airports, it is up to each of us to do as much as we can to maintain the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics development guidelines for the land surrounding our general aviation airports.

The only way to accomplish this goal is to organize and hold elected and city/county officials accountable. The issues of poor, or lack of planning will not go away, but we can slow them down. We must however, educate ourselves on all airport matters to change from the current reactive to a proactive stance – from defensive to offensive strategies. The bottom line is general aviation airports will continue to disappear unless we change our approach to promote and protect them. History has shown that some elected and public officials with that responsibility cannot be relied upon to do their jobs responsibly – therefore, we need to monitor them closely and use the process to force them to do it.

Q: What is the difference between Chapters and Association Orgs?
A: Technically, chapters are airport/pilot organizations that fall under the California Pilot Association's 501 (3)(c) non-profit status.
Association Orgs do not require non-profit status and subsequently do not fall under the our 501(3)(c) non-profit status. We will soon be listing them all as chapters tomake it easier review of our site visitors.