Relay-Version: B 2.11 6/12/87; site scorn
Path: uunet!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!wisch
From: wisch@Apple.COM (Ed Wischmeyer)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation
Subject: Reid-Hillview, AOPA help, etc.
Message-ID: <41945@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 90 15:45:18 PDT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 69


This really wanted to be written after a few days consideration,
but after some of the (understandable) flaming on the net, I thought
it better to write a truncated and less well thought out version
instead of polishing the ideas and verbiage.

What can AOPA, as a national organization do, to help in local
causes, such as ARSAs and airport closures?  (I've worked with
them on both sorts of issues).

1.  They will assist your local organization in the effort.  They
are very good at obtaining behind the scenes Washington information
and directing your efforts to the appropriate ears.  They can say
the right words to the right people to aid your cause.  They can 
keep you informed of comparable efforts around the country and
disseminate information.  For example, some of my ARSA writeups
went around the country to other groups.

2. They do not and cannot lead the fight.  They don't have the
bucks, and would have no members if they raised the dues enough
to.  It takes enormous amounts of time and energy to contest a
government action.  Bill Dunn, who is spearheading CRAMP, has
worked more or less full time for the last month or so, without
compensation.  AOPA could not afford to have somebody on site 
that long for just one airport, nor would that one person have all
of the local contacts and know all of the details and minutiae
that are required.  Remember, you poke holes in politician's
balloons with small, fine points, for balloons bounce off the 
broad side of a barn.

What do you need to do to keep your airport open?

1. Organize in advance.  Politicians listen to groups, not
individuals, regardless of merit.  Your group should have as wide
a membership base as possible.  Keep the politics separate from
the main activities of the group, as most pilots want little or
nothing to do with aviation politics.  Besides, most pilots have
the political instincts of a stunned cow.

2. Get your information in advance.  Know the fiscal impact, the
costs, and the tax revenues.  Know about FAA funds availabilities
and encumberances.  Have it all in writing.

3. Get favorable publicity in advance.  Have airport days, offer
an hour of flying time as prizes at all manner of social and public
events.  Work with the schools.  Know the media personnel.

4. Have designated and responsible public speakers to deal with the
media.  Some media folks will take an honest but emotional pilot and
use an emotional speech to make all pilots look like fools.

5. Politicians will freak out at anybody who emotionally
and publicly attacks their stand.  Muzzle your membership in public.
Your organization should have people who regularly deal with the 
politicians.  Your members *MUST* *ALWAYS* act at the highest
levels of decorum and manners.

One of the reasons for writing this link is so that nobody
acts out their agitation of the moment and hurts the cause.
Please, folks, tell your neighbors not to flame the media or
the politicians.  Call your supervisor and tell them of your 
approval or disapproval of their vote to close the airport --
that much is constructive.  Flaming either will get
ignored or will hurt the cause.

Ed Wischmeyer
CFII and all that
wischmeyer1@applelink.apple.com
RV-4 ARSA FIghter N629EW