Positive Transfer of Controls: AOPA Names New President and CEO
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has appointed Darren Pleasance as its new leader, succeeding Mark Baker, who led the organization for over 11 years. Pleasance, an accomplished aviator, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing aviation’s significant role in his life. His journey began as a teenager, flying model aircraft and taking flying lessons at his local airport. Since then, he has logged over 8,000 hours across 50 aircraft types, from business jets to vintage warbirds like the P-51 Mustang. He currently owns a Piper Meridian, RV-6, and SeaRey amphibious plane while maintaining certification as a flight instructor.
Pleasance’s early career included flying as John Travolta’s personal pilot, as well as flying charters in Alaska. Though he later transitioned into business, he remained deeply engaged with aviation, serving on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association. In his business career, he held leadership roles at Cisco Systems, Google, and McKinsey & Company, gaining expertise in corporate strategy and transformation.
He also authored True North: A Handbook for Inspired Living, a guide to personal fulfillment inspired by his life experiences. AOPA's Chairman, Bill Trimble, noted that the organization conducted a thorough national search before selecting Pleasance, citing his blend of aviation passion and business skills as key to leading AOPA. Mark Baker praised Pleasance as a “pilot’s pilot” with the right vision for the organization’s future.
Pleasance holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. He lives with his wife, Lisa, and has two children, Chris and Lauren.
“I'm grateful for the privilege I'm being given to lead this incredible organization that has had such a positive impact on my life and the lives of all of us who love aviation,” said Pleasance.
FAA Eliminates CFI Expiration Dates
Beginning December, 1st 2024 the FAA will align flight instructor certificates with other airman certificates, removing expiration dates but requiring proficiency and recent experience every 24 months. Instructors can now maintain experience by participating in FAA pilot proficiency programs. A key change allows lapsed instructors to reinstate privileges through a refresher course if the lapse is under three months, avoiding the need for a checkride.
The rule also revises qualification criteria for instructors training new applicants. Instructors must have endorsed at least five applicants within 24 months, with an 80% first-attempt pass rate, eliminating the need for 400 training hours.
Read the full rule change here.
Scholarship Applications Now Open!
The AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program offers many types of aviation scholarships. From earning a primary certificate, to career advancement, to gaining additional ratings, we have scholarships to support nearly all aviation aspirations. Information on the application process and individual scholarships can be found, here.
