Press Release

From Geoffrey Boot, prospective MHK candidate Glenfaba, AOPA IoM Regional Chairman  
03.07.06

IAOPA (International Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association) World Assembly  

For the first time ever the Isle of Man was represented by Geoffrey Boot, prospective MHK candidate for Glenfaba at the 23rd World Assembly of the IAOPA (International Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association) held in Toronto , Canada between 18-24 June 2006.  Geoffrey attended as Regional Chairman for the Isle of Man and Vice Chairman of AOPA UK .

With the prospect of an Isle of Man Aircraft Register it is ever more important that the Isle of Man has its own representation on the world stage.  IAOPA comprises 63 affiliate nations with over 470,000 individual members worldwide.

Subject matter at the Assembly included harmonisation and co‑operation between countries in terms of access to airspace and airfields and the challenges around new security measures involved in aircraft operations and especially General Aviation.

As an island nation the Isle of Man relies on access to airspace and General Aviation plays an important role in the Island ’s viability as an offshore centre.

With increasing harmonisation in Europe the Isle of Man needs to be centre stage and in this respect delegates from around the world included Arunas Degutis, a member of the European Parliament with a seat on the EU Transport Committee.  At the Conference he explained that many new countries joining the EU including his own, Lithuania, have little or no GA and as such it is important that, however small a nation, they should make their voice heard.  He further observed that prosperous, free democratic nations rely on good access to General Aviation by their citizens to provide an alternative to mass travel and as an aid to prosperity.

Geoffrey’s goal is to obtain country status and recognition for the Isle of Man by the next World Assembly in two years time as he believes it is vitally important that we are represented individually rather than relying on the UK or EU.


Geoffrey Boot (right) meets IAOPA World President Phil Boyer (centre)
with Martin Robinson, Chief Executive AOPA UK (left)

Further contact : Geoffrey Boot (01624) 801027

e-mail : geoffreyboot@supanet.com