Comments

I have seen firsthand that a cell phone can affect the accuracy of radio navigation equipment. Yes, there are backups and redundancy on air carrier flights, and it's unlikely that PEDs would bring down such a flight. But why risk it, by potentially removing one layer of safety and redundancy? I can easily imagine PEDs in use by passengers being part of a chain of events resulting in tragedy. I can also imagine a coordinated attack by terrorists, perhaps each with a modified cell phone designed to intentionally interfere with navigation signals during crucial periods of flight. (Of course, people with this sort of intention are unlikely to be dissuaded by an announcement asking them to turn off their PEDs.) Prayer, on the other hand, does not have any ability to bring down a plane, the suggestion above is a bit silly.

TO be honest, I've felt like AOPA changed, dramatically and for the worse, after Phil Boyer retired and was replaced by Craig Fuller. Almost overnight, AOPA's mission seemed to change to, "how much more money can we extract from our members?" Some of it was blatant, like the dues increase. Some more subtle, like the elimination of most of the (formerly) free assistance with medical issues, replaced by the (extra charge) medical services plan. Some of it was just silly (join the AOPA Wine Club and buy mediocre wines for twice what they're worth!) Have you looked at their financials? They are a top-heavy organization with a bunch of VPs and Senior VPs making mid-six figure salaries. Nice work if you can get it. Is all that really necessary? I feel like AOPA has lost its way and forgotten its core mission – and its core member. For the past three years, I've contemplated canceling every time my membership came up for renewal, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Maybe the next time I will.