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Former AOPA CEO Encourages Members to Enact Change

Darren Pleasance commits to supporting GA's future.

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 04:10 PM ET

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Plane + Pilot editor-in-chief Cayla McLeod has a sit-down interview with former AOPA president and CEO Darren Pleasance in Valdez, Alaska. [Credit: Cayla McLeod]

Key Takeaways:

Former AOPA President Darren Pleasance, in his first interview post-removal, discussed pressing issues facing general aviation and the enduring importance of AOPA's advocacy.
Pleasance identified key challenges for GA, including the safe transition to unleaded fuel, the misuse of ADS-B for non-safety purposes like fee collection, and the expansion of BasicMed in Canada.
He reaffirmed his strong support for AOPA's mission and its new leadership, encouraging members to stay engaged and expressing confidence that necessary changes will continue to be driven by the organization.

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During a recent interview with Plane + Pilot’s Cayla McLeod in Valdez, Alaska, former AOPA president and CEO Darren Pleasance discussed the issues facing the future of general aviation and the importance of a robust organization to advocate for solutions just months after being removed from leadership.

In one of the first conversations since leaving the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Pleasance talked about his time serving as the organization’s head, pointing to the strenuous role in a seven-day-a-week job for much of the year but adding that it remains a dream job for an aviation enthusiast.

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