After eight years as President of AOPA Luxembourg (and many more years on the Board), I’ve decided not to run again for President.
What AOPA Luxembourg delivered for members
AOPA Luxembourg is a volunteer association. The only reason it matters is because it creates real value for pilots and aviation enthusiasts—value that you would not get as an individual, acting alone.
Over the past decade, AOPA Luxembourg consistently punched above its weight and remained among the more active AOPA organisations in Europe—particularly relative to the size of Luxembourg. That activity translated into concrete benefits for members:
- Practical member benefits that save money. Beyond the Crew Card advantages, we recently added new pan-European IAOPA member discounts (e.g., Jeppesen / ForeFlight / SafeSky). These are tangible, “use them tomorrow” benefits that can quickly offset the €60 fee.
- A strong voice when it matters. We represented members in consultations and stakeholder discussions affecting general aviation—airport access, operating constraints, airspace topics, and the broader environment in which GA is allowed to exist.
- Staying on top of AVGAS and fuel transition issues. We monitored and engaged on developments affecting 100LL availability and policy—because fuel access is not a theoretical debate: it’s the difference between being able to fly or not.
- Safety and proficiency, not just politics. We supported and organised safety-oriented initiatives (seminars, refreshers, knowledge sharing) because the best advocacy is also a strong safety culture.
- A living GA community. Fly-outs and events are not “nice-to-have”. They create ties between pilots, encourage newcomers, and keep GA visible and human.
- Clear information, digitally. We took a digital-first approach: website, publishing, and social media updates—so members can actually follow what is going on without having to “be on the inside”.
- European leverage through IAOPA. Luxembourg is small. Through IAOPA we amplified our voice, remained connected to other AOPAs, and contributed at European level when issues went beyond our borders.
AOPA Luxembourg as a broad home for GA
We also worked to make sure AOPA Luxembourg represents the real GA landscape around us:
- We connected not only with pilots at Findel (Luxembourg Airport), but also those operating from airfields just across our borders.
- We welcomed a growing number of ULM pilots, because general aviation is more than “classic single-engine piston” flying.
- We hosted international members over the years—evidence that AOPA Luxembourg is seen as open, practical and welcoming.
- And the Board itself evolved: more multicultural, and more inclusive than in the past.
A positive handover to the next generation
AOPA Luxembourg does not need a “perfect” President. It needs a committed team and members who occasionally contribute—whether that’s helping with an event, supporting member follow-up, bringing a speaker, writing a short piece, or simply providing constructive feedback.
I’m confident the next Board can build on what exists and take it further—with fresh energy, new ideas, and the same mission: protecting our freedom to fly while delivering practical value to members.
To everyone who supported me during these years: thank you.
To everyone who will support the next President: please do. The organisation is worth it.
— Peter