California Aeronautical University (CAU) was honored to welcome Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Darren Pleasance to campus for an exclusive Pilot Town Hall with CAU students, staff, and members of the local aviation community.
The event, held as part of Darren’s nationwide AOPA President’s Tour, gave attendees a unique opportunity to hear directly from the leader of the world’s largest aviation membership organization.
During his visit, Darren shared his vision for the future of general aviation (GA) and AOPA’s continued commitment to supporting pilots, protecting airports, and inspiring the next generation of aviators.
Before the town hall, Darren enjoyed lunch at CAU’s SkyWay Café, followed by a guided campus tour led by CAU President Matthew Johnston. The tour showcased CAU’s aviation training facilities, aircraft fleet, and growing student community dedicated to pursuing careers in aviation.
The event also drew community members from the local EAA chapter, visiting pilots who flew in for the occasion, and airport tenants, who joined CAU students to hear from AOPA’s new president.
During the Pilot Town Hall, Darren shared his own journey in aviation and the experiences that led him to become AOPA’s newly appointed president. He highlighted the positive outlook of the aviation industry—emphasizing that flight schools are thriving, pilot certificate numbers remain high, general aviation operations are increasing, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the safest years on record.
Darren also discussed key initiatives AOPA is leading to advance and protect general aviation, including:
- Supporting the transition to unleaded fuel to ensure a sustainable future for flight
- Preserving airports and promoting compliance nationwide
- Expanding AOPA’s high school STEM curriculum, which now reaches more than 100,000 students across the country
- Advocating for pilot mental health, helping ensure that aviators receive the support and resources they need
- Continuing to advocate for safety, accessibility, and freedom to fly for all pilots
CAU President Matthew Johnston expressed his appreciation for Darren’s visit and the inspiration it provided to students:
“Having AOPA President Darren Pleasance here on campus was an incredible opportunity for our students to connect directly with one of the most influential leaders in general aviation,” Johnston said. “His insights about the industry’s future and AOPA’s role in supporting pilots reinforce exactly why we do what we do at CAU — to prepare the next generation to lead aviation forward.”
California Aeronautical University has proudly partnered with AOPA since the University’s inception as an AOPA Supporting Sponsor, working together to promote aviation education, safety, and career pathways.
Darren’s visit to CAU was one of many stops on his nationwide President’s Tour, where he’s meeting with pilots and aviation enthusiasts across the country. Following his stop at CAU, he continued on to Livermore Airport for another Pilot Town Hall.
CAU extends sincere thanks to Darren Pleasance and the AOPA team for their ongoing support of aviation education and their commitment to strengthening the general aviation community.
To learn more about Darren Pleasance’s national tour, visit AOPA’s President’s Tour page.
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