The decade from 2010 to 2019 for General Aviation was one of tremendous technological progress, from computer watches to autonomous flight control. Manufacturers also launched some amazing new planes, including a jet from Cirrus, the incredible globetrotting Gulfstream G650, a remarkable diesel twin, the DA-62, from Diamond, among others. At the same time we in GA continued to fight against onerous regulation, often but not always successfully, while working to keep the activity we love open, accessible and fun, challenges that won’t end with a new decade but that will certainly be met by a population of passionate aviators focusing on what really matters, the joy and freedom of flight.
EAA Resurgence
To put it kindly, the 2010s for EAA was an uproarious decade, for both bad and good. The transition from the leadership of the Pobereznys was anything but smooth. Paul Poberezny founded and led the organization for decades, and son Tom ran it ably for many years thereafter. New leadership struggled to find its way, and it wasn't until former Cessna leader Jack Pelton took the reins in 2012 that things began turning around. Since that time Pelton has steadied the ship and made the annual airshow, for which the EAA is rightly famous, the best it has ever been. In addition, through Pelton's leadership EAA has advanced important safety, youth, and pilot retention programs that have worked and energized the membership.