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Curated by: Taking Off (418 videos)
On February 4, 2026, AOPA released a statement saying its new CEO, Darren Pleasance, had stepped out of the day-to-day role. The language suggested a mutual decision. But after extensive reporting and conversations with multiple people familiar with the situation, a very different picture emerges. In this episode of TakingOff, Dan Millican examines what really led to Darren Pleasance’s sudden removal, how AOPA’s Board of Trustees handled the decision, and why many inside and outside the organization are raising serious concerns about transparency and governance. This report looks at AOPA’s mission, its leadership structure, and why this moment matters to pilots, aircraft owners, and the future of general aviation. Email: mailto:jim@hauslein.com Join AEROVERSE! Use our code TakingOff for 15% off!!! https://www.aeroverse.com/ TakingOff is sponsored by: FlyingEyes – Get 10% at https://flyingeyesoptics.com/pages/taking-offs-discount ColtenTakingOff.com https://www.coltenmortgage.com/takingoff – For your residential mortgage or refi needs. Run by a pilot! 67Designs— Cabin Mounts https://www.67d.com/ Incredibly rugged mounts for your tablets, smart phones and cameras in the airplane. Made in the US! XeVision.com –Extreme LED Landing Lights, https://www.xevision.com the only competitor is the sun! https://www.clemensinsurance.net/ – Your broker should be advocating on your behalf—call Clemens to have someone in your corner fighting for you! Marshal Protective Services – https://mpsprotects.com/ Private Security Elevated! The large METAR map on the set is from https://metarmaps.com/ Mention TakingOff as you go buy one! The TakingOff Team uses Lightspeed Headsets. Support us by buying your Lightspeed through our link: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?r...