On January 1st, Darren Pleasance took over as AOPA’s CEO and President becoming the 6th CEO of AOPA over the past 85 years. Darren’s story echos that of many in the aviation community, from model planes to being a ramp-rat at the local airport, hoping to exchange labor on the ground for time in the air. Darren soloed at 16, got his private at 17, and his Commercial, Instrument and CFI at 18 while also going to college for his degree in mechanical engineering. Darren currently flies a SeaRey, an RV6, a Piper Meridian, a North American T6 and a North American P-51.

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