First, I would like to thank Christian Pancake, Jerry Eichenberger, and Alaina Joseph for volunteering to help as we try to build out our advocacy capability.  As a volunteer organization, it takes many hands to keep things moving forward. 

Currently, we are focused on leveraging ties with like-minded organizations and starting to develop relationships with key people in state government.  We have started a joint monthly call with NBAA, Ohio Aviation Association (OAA) and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).  These three partners have dedicated paid staff who track legislative issues at local, state and federal levels.  They keep us educated on current legislation and regulations.   Currently, OAA is working to increase funding for airports at the state level to $20 million annually up from $7.2 Million (read more here on details and how you can help). Later this year, OAA and AOPA will be working on protecting airport access from encroachment of local development. 

We are working on setting up meetings with the Chair (Zanesville airport), Vice Chair (Springfield- Beckley airport) and Ranking member of the Ohio House Aviation Committee to develop a relationship with the state legislature.  The district for the Ranking Member is adjacent to Lunken Field.  If you have a passion for advocacy and are based at Lunken, Zanesville or Springfield-Beckley; please reach out to us and we will include you in any meeting we get set up.  After that we will be looking to map the districts of other committee members to airports where our members work and look for help for local point people interested in getting to know representatives with influence over state level aviation issues.   

If you would like to help out, have questions or want us to consider working on a particular issue, please email us at advocacy@orbaa.org.

Thank you,

Mike Christie

ORBAA Advocacy Chair