What JPO does has been changing over the years. When we first started ducted fans where all we had and JPO provided a means to trade information on how to make them work well. At this point I would imagine that at the AMA we where JP-Who. Two technologies have come about that have changed all that; turbines and the internet. Today you had better believe that AMA knows who JPO is and what it is about, and when people want information on how to get something to work they come here, to the internet.

While we still work on being a source of information the main focus of JPO today is to work with the AMA on the turbine regulation. We do have a measure of success in this, although some may not like all of the outcomes; rudder rules, no plasma bags and the like, but a few, you guys do like; being able to reset the ECU. Currently we are part of a joint JPO/AMA committee that is reviewing and hopefully rewriting the jet regulations based on past conversions with members of the jet community (I am not sure how this effort will turn out yet). We are working to make sure that if a maximum fuel limit is implemented that all of you will have enough fuel to fly with. We do have a direct link to the AMA EC so we can usually at least get a voice there, if we are heard is a different subject.

One of the biggest problems that JPO faces is the belief up at Muncie that the jet community is fractured and that there is no one voice for it. About every time that I speak with an AMA official I have this pointed out to me. Even in the past when we have come out to the public to get buy in on a proposal the AMA questions if it is the will of the majority. It is in every ones best interest to get together an present a common voice. The AMA would like to see it, and so should all jet pilots.

Much of what JPO does these days is not seen by most. At times there is not much happening, but at times, I believe, we do the jet community a tremendous service. The more of you that are behind us the better we can accomplish those things that are important to us all.

Steven Ellzey
President, Jet Pilot’s Organization