Boyer to Retire From AOPA at Year’s End; Successor Named

Phil Boyer, the ex-television executive who has served as president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for the past 18 years, will retire at year's end. Replacing Boyer, pending a September vote by trustees, will be Craig Fuller, described by AOPA as "an experienced Washington public affairs executive and political operative." Fuller is also a 40-year private pilot and longtime aircraft owner who earned his private certificate at age 17. Boyer, who said he has had a retirement plan in mind for the past several years, will remain in place for the remainder of the year to effect the transition. Boyer's legacy will include increasing AOPA membership by 40 percent in the face of a declining pilot population, his staunch battle against general aviation user fees and AOPA's efforts in reinstating private flying in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. In a statement Boyer said, "At the end of this year, I will be able to 'get my life back' and enjoy fully the general aviation that AOPA fights so hard to preserve for its member pilots."