The Illinois Pilots Association

Support General Aviation in Illinois

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Planes on display at the 2007 Annual Meeting Thank you for visiting the Illinois Pilot's Association. We are a statewide organization of both pilots and non-pilots who are committed to preserving and advancing general aviation in the state of Illinois. The IPA is an affiliate of the United States Pilot Association. Currently the IPA consists of five local chapters, as well as additional "at-large" members. Local Chapters hold regular monthly meetings, monitor aviation interests in the their local area, hold social activities, and sponsor safety seminars.

At the state level, IPA monitors aviation issues across Illinois, including pending legislation. A state IPA Board of Directors meeting is held each month at various airports around the state. The IPA sponsors a scholarship for an Illinois student pursuing a degree in an aviation-related field. The state IPA also holds an annual convention, and from time to time sponsors safety seminars, and various social activities. All IPA members receive a complementary subscription to the monthly magazine America's Flyways.

Membership is open to both pilots and non-pilots (if you do not hold a Pilot's Certificate you may join as an associate member.) If you would like to join, look for a chapter in your area. If there is no chapter in your area, we encourage you to consider starting one. The board of directors can assist you. For individuals where chapter affiliation is impossible or impractical, an "at-large" membership option is available.

- What's New at IPA -

2008 Annual Meeting

The 2008 IPA Annual Meeting will be held Saturday May 17 at Jacksonville Municipal Airport (IJX). The Airport is located just north of the city of Jacksonville IL. There will be food, fun flying activities, guest speakers and more. IPA 2008 Annual Meeting Announcement is now available. Please make plans to attend.

8:00 - 10:00 Registration

10:30 - 12:00 Safety Seminar

Dr. Melchor Antunano, Director of FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institure (CAMI)

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

With Dr. Susan Shea, Direcor of Illinois Dept of Transporation, Aeronautics Division

1:00 - 2:00 Speaker Rick Siegfried

president, EAA-Warbirds of America

2:00 - 4:00 IPA Annual Membership Business Meeting

The 2007 Annual Meeting was a success. Our last annual meeting had apperances from Peter Halasz, upper midwest regional director for Cirrus Design who flew in a new SR-22 Turbo to display, and Steve Thompson from Muncie Aviation who flew in a Piper Archer. Recurrent Training Center also was present to complete the vendors list. Other highlights included a presentation from Dr. Susan Shea (Director of the Division of Aeronautics for Illilnois Department of Transportation.). Click to view a slide show of photos from the 2007 event.

The IPA Board of Directors is hoping for an even better turnout in 2008. So please make your plans to attend!

Illinois Aviation Museums

Did you know that there are several aviation museums right here in Illinois? The links page has been updated to include an Illinois Aviation Museums section. Hours vary and a few museums require an appointment before visiting. So check the individual museum's web site before planning your visit. Take a few moments to browse the various websites. Some of them feature photo galleries of their collections, and many offer insight into the history of aviation in illinois. If there are other Illinois-based aviation-related museums that you feel should be listed, then please email the information to the webmaster.

South Suburban Newsletter now online

Thanks to Newsletter editor Linda Swisher, the South Suburban chapter newsletters are now available online. Click here to read them. Note that some of the files are very large so a broadband connection is recommended.

New Membership Form

A New Membership Form has been developed. We want to keep our contact information up to date so that mailings can reach members in a timely manner. All members, both renewing and new, are asked to print the form, fill it out and return in to their chapter.

Position Paper Opposing Aviation User Fees

Dr. A.O. Griffiths is a veterinarian in the Champaign, Illinois area, and is the past president of the Illinois Pilots Association. Dr. Griffiths has authored this excellent, detailed IPA Position Paper opposing aviation user fees. Members are encouraged to read this, and then contact their own legislators with their own thoughts concerning this pending legislation.