Darren Pleasance

Darren Pleasance President & CEO of AOPA
Pilot. Adventurist. Author. Championing the freedom to fly and the future of general aviation.

01/23/2026

Chris and I went flying in the Citabria to work on the fundamentals ahead of his private pilot checkride.

We checked snowpack and practiced a range of aerial maneuvers, specifically focusing on the skills that matter most for safety and confidence in the cockpit. His checkride is coming up in the next couple of months, and this kind of focused practice makes all the difference.

Good weather, a tailwheel airplane, and time spent sharpening the basics. It was a fantastic day in the air!

01/20/2026

Headed down to work on the P-51 with the crew.
We do an owner-assist annual, working alongside an A&P and IA. It is one of the best ways to learn about these airplanes.

We will be packing wheel bearings, gapping spark plugs, and adjusting the cam racks and timing on both banks of the Merlin V-12.

Getting hands-on with this aircraft never gets old.

01/16/2026

AOPA is proud to announce that 38 FAA employees received the AOPA President’s Award for their hard work and dedication on the MOSAIC final rule.

MOSAIC represents one of the most significant improvements for general aviation in decades by expanding sport pilots’ privileges and simplifying aircraft certification pathways.

The work of this team will shape general aviation’s growth, accessibility, and sustainability for years to come.

01/13/2026

I believe more now than ever, that general aviation is vibrant, alive and well.

We have seen record numbers of new pilots entering aviation over the last five years. General aviation is the backbone of much of our infrastructure in this amazing country, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to expand and grow in 2026.

Watching my son Chris and his friends skin up North Sister through our home telescope, about 20 miles away, was already ...
01/09/2026

Watching my son Chris and his friends skin up North Sister through our home telescope, about 20 miles away, was already pretty special. But flying out to see them from the air? That was a moment I won’t forget.

Look closely and you’ll see four little dots working their way up a seriously steep face. Grateful for days like this and views like these.

12/30/2025

As 2025 comes to an end, I wanted to take a minute to look back on some of the advocacy work our team tackled this year.

I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to protect our freedom to fly, and after my first year here, I can tell you firsthand that this team truly cares about general aviation and about doing what’s right for pilots.

Thank you for being part of this community and for supporting AOPA. I’m excited for what’s ahead in 2026.

Honored to attend the 77th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner in Washington, DC, where the National Aeronautic Association ho...
12/18/2025

Honored to attend the 77th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner in Washington, DC, where the National Aeronautic Association honors outstanding public service to aviation with the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. A powerful reminder of the legacy built by pioneers, and the responsibility to continue advancing aviation for generations to come.

It’s the unforgettable moments in the sky with the people I love that remind me of how lucky I am to do this. Now I’m ge...
12/16/2025

It’s the unforgettable moments in the sky with the people I love that remind me of how lucky I am to do this. Now I’m getting the chance to mentor my son as a Dad and as a flight instructor. Doesn’t get better than that!

I had the incredible opportunity to fly BETA’s newest electric aircraft at this year’s UP Summit. The experience was eye...
12/15/2025

I had the incredible opportunity to fly BETA’s newest electric aircraft at this year’s UP Summit. The experience was eye-opening and has reminded us that electric aviation isn’t just a concept anymore; it’s quickly becoming our reality. Huge thanks to Kyle Clark and the BETA TECHNOLOGIES team for the unforgettable flight.

12/11/2025

At the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act hearing earlier this year, I made AOPA’s position clear: we will push back against anything that unnecessarily increases the cost to fly.

A safe, sustainable transition to unleaded aviation fuel is important, but it must be done thoughtfully, without compromising availability, safety, or affordability for general aviation.

With only one global producer of tetraethyl lead, we face real concerns about long-term supply and the risks of rushing mandates before alternatives are ready. AOPA will continue advocating for a transition driven by safety, science, and practicality.

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