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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, recently removed from his role, shared his views on the future challenges facing general aviation, including the transition to unleaded fuel, the misuse of ADS-B, and the expansion of BasicMed.
Pleasance described his tenure as AOPA head as a demanding but "dream job" for an aviation enthusiast, stemming from his lifelong passion for flying.
He provided a letter ahead of AOPA's annual meeting, reaffirming his strong support for the organization's mission, endorsing its new leadership, and encouraging members to stay engaged and support AOPA's ongoing evolution.

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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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