02/10/2026
I would like to personally express my concern and disappointment regarding the recent leadership changes at AOPA.
Those of us working daily in general aviation understand there is a growing gap in our industry — between mechanic wages and shop rates, parts markups and regulatory burdens, and the realities of maintaining aging aircraft fleets. Much of the time, these forces seem to work against each other rather than for the health of GA.
In my view, this isn’t a money problem, a capability problem, or a generational problem.
It’s a people problem.
Aviation has always been full of sharp, capable, passionate individuals. When those minds come together with the right leadership, we can solve almost anything. That’s what many of us believed AOPA stood for.
General aviation today is broader than ever. It’s not just single-engine pistons — it’s turboprops, light jets, legacy aircraft, flight schools, small shops, mechanics, owners, and working professionals who keep this ecosystem alive. Yet many of these groups increasingly feel overlooked.
AOPA was founded to represent private pilots, combat excessive regulation, and protect access to airspace. At its core, it was built for the aviator, the enthusiast, the small business owner, the mechanic, and the hometown airport.
Many of us grew up seeing AOPA stickers on hangar doors, calendars on filing cabinets, and magazines in FBO lounges. It represented something bigger than a membership packet — it represented advocacy and belonging. That all seemed to be from a time many many years ago. A time before us.
Then Darren showed up.
He listened.
He understood.
He showed up for the people actually turning the wrenches, running the shops, and flying the airplanes.
He recognized that airports aren’t cash cows — they’re community hubs.
That GA isn’t just wealthy jet owners — it’s everyday people who simply love to fly and want to do it safely and responsibly.
That maintenance shops carry enormous overhead while technicians are underpaid.
That the backbone of aviation is still built on grassroots experience and mentorship.
Darren saw the ecosystem the way we see it.
To many of us, he felt like the right leader at the right time — someone who truly understood the working side of general aviation and was willing to fight for it.
For those reasons, I respectfully believe this leadership change was the wrong call.
We want a stronger, healthier GA.
We want representation that understands the realities on the ground.
And we believe Darren Pleasance was moving AOPA in that direction.
Respectfully,
Julian Duran
New Moon Aviation, Founder
Sign the petition below
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/reinstate-darren-pleasance-as-ceo-of-aopa?mc_cid=9bbd8acc21&mc_eid=cf2fd3774c&fbclid=IwdGRjcAP3llZjbGNrA_eWUGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHkj2cw6cefpygFmWYhdULyLwE_ZPixsreUlspISRxeAArW7R7De_axqHLIrK_aem_3L6prOheawAsTH0VdSVkXA
Learn more about it here
https://avbrief.com/?s=aopa&fbclid=IwdGRjcAP3lyhjbGNrA_eXF2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHh1AYSENKNBriQKWAFEpEZ7kfu2wSpeYn0xosKjqFvbxlndX5J56dF0ALUw6_aem_aIpfOf8K5-NaZIuSjxH-Zw
