About WPA
OUR MISSION
Founded in 1987, the Watsonville Pilot’s Association (WPA) serves to protect and promote general aviation at the Watsonville Airport and across Santa Cruz County. Our activities include:
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Representing the Watsonville aviation community with a unified voice
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Protecting the airport land and surrounding safety zones
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Hosting training and seminars promoting pilot safety and proficiency
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Fostering positive relationships within the Watsonville community
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Educating on the utility and positive impacts aviation has on the city
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Organizing community and social events
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Sharing the magic of flight with the greater community!
A message from our past President...
The Watsonville Airport is an irreplaceable public safety, commercial, recreational, educational, charitable and emergency transportation resource serving a region of nearly 300,000 people. The people of Watsonville are extremely fortunate to have such a rare facility so close at hand. Thousands of users of the Airport generate an estimated annual economic benefit to the community of over $645,000,000.
The article entitled, Discover Watsonville Municipal Airport: Gateway to California's Central Coast, has gotten the true story out to the public about the benefits of the Airport and has been used as a model for other General Aviation airports that want to improve public relations. I envision the WPA as a continuing liaison between the Airport and the community---bringing everyone closer.
WPA members help citizens more fully understand and utilize this irreplaceable public safety & transportation resource and actively encourage individuals in the community to take part in all that the Airport has to offer. The WPA motto, "Serving Aviation and the Community" speaks for itself. Learning all that the Watsonville Airport has to offer, I have been very proud to be a pilot at Watsonville Airport and very proud to be a member of the Watsonville Pilots Association.
Richard Lippi, President 2000-2005
LEADERSHIP TEAM
WPA Officers
President - Ryan Ramirez
Vice President - Barry Porter
Secretary - Brad Smith
Treasurer - Jeremy Lezin
WPA Board Members
Theresa Byers
Ed Bogner
Jack Bernard
Marjorie Bachman
Sarah Chauvet
Raphael Hebert
Said Karssli
WPA Committee Heads
AOPA ASN Rep. - Gryphon McArthur
Aviation Education - Open Position
Editorial - Open Position
FAASTeam Rep. - Open Position
WAAC Representative - Jeremy Lezin
PVAA Representative - Theresa Byers
Website Editor - Ryan Ramirez
Legal Affairs Committee
Secretary for Legal Affairs - Sarah Chauvet
Treasurer for Legal Affairs - Brad Smith