AOPA's New Web site, www.GAservingAmerica.org, tells how general aviation meets society's needs.

AOPA is going directly to the general public with a major advertising campaign and new Web site dedicated to telling non-pilots the truth about general aviation.

Ever since the September 11 attacks, public misunderstanding of what GA is and all that it does has been an obstacle to overcome. Beginning this fall AOPA turned obstacle into opportunity with nationwide newspaper ads introducing the non-flying public to a wonderful new website GA Serving America, accessible at http://www.GAservingAmerica.org.

"This is the largest campaign, especially directed at opinion leaders and the general public, that we have ever conceived," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We developed the ads and website to teach the general public and politicians how vital a role GA plays in the nation's daily life. The GA Serving America Web site does just that, and the ads will draw people to it."

All five ads in the series feature a quick fact, an enlightening bit of information about what GA is and does, and directs the reader to the Web site.

GA Serving America is aimed primarily at non-pilots but can be useful to pilots as well, as they try to dispel misconceptions held by others in their community. It is a teaching tool that explains all the many aspects of general aviation and the critical role GA plays in both a community as well as the national economy.

"It is important that decision makers and the public understand what general aviation is, how it works, and what it does for all Americans," Boyer said. "What we convey in this site is that general aviation is important to the fabric of American life."

Without general aviation, the quality of life in America would be vastly reduced. Crop yields from our farms would drop by 50%. There would be no overnight shipment of packages. Business and industry would lose their competitive edge in world markets. Lives would be lost without emergency life flights. And 145 million people a year would have no practical way to reach their travel destinations.

"By getting opinion leaders to visit this Web site and share what they learn with others, they, and their constituents, will be able to make well informed and sound decisions regarding general aviation and the infrastructure that supports it," Boyer said. "Hopefully, they will also have a greater appreciation for their local community airport that serve the needs of individuals, government, and businesses alike."

The advertising campaign and the Web site were funded by thousands of AOPA members who donated to the General Aviation Restoration Fund.

Visitthe site today at http://www.GAservingAmerica.org!

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