Ken Griffey Jr., the 13-time Major League Baseball All-Star and accomplished private pilot, has been named an honorary co-chair of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation\u2019s Hat in the Ring Society, a committed group of pilots who support the work of the AOPA Foundation\u2019s mission to promote aviation safety and education and to protect the freedom to fly.<\/p>\n
Griffey, the son of long-time Cincinnati Red stand-out Ken Griffey, took his first airplane ride at 14 with his dad and was hooked. He earned his private pilot certificate at 36 and today flies a Cirrus SR22T. Griffey retired in 2010 after a 22-year baseball career, and speaks often about his passion for aviation.
\n\u201cThis is the way of the future,\u201d Griffey said of general aviation. \u201cPeople are going to fly more because they know, \u2018I can get here, and it\u2019s cheaper than being on the airport, going to a commercial flight. I can be home when I want, I\u2019m not bound to their schedule.\u2019 It\u2019s a freedom that, once you get it, you don\u2019t want to give that back.\u201d
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\nThe Hat in the Ring Society is the AOPA Foundation\u2019s oldest philanthropic giving circle. The name comes from the superior World War I fighter squadron led by legendary ace Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. The Hat in the Ring Society is comprised of pilots who \u201cthrow their hat in the ring\u201d and support the AOPA Foundation through charitable donations. These pilots join together under the Hat in the Ring banner because they believe that aviation safety, education and preserving Americans\u2019 freedom to fly are worthy causes.<\/p>\n
With that same \u201cfirst to fight\u201d spirit, Hat in the Ring Society members provide critical support for the AOPA Foundation\u2019s Air Safety Institute, which provides no-cost safety programs to thousands of pilots each year. Society members also play a leading role in supporting programs that encourage more people to fly and preserve community airports across the country. They also help fund grants to aviation nonprofit organizations that are using aviation to provide assistance to those in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cKen joins a dedicated group of pilots who are all passionate about aviation. Using their celebrity, influence and flying skills, they are helping to strengthen general aviation,\u201d said Stephanie Kenyon, vice president of the AOPA Foundation. \u201cKen clearly understands that general aviation in America is a national treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other Hat in the Ring Society honorary co-chairs include actors Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and Chris Meloni, country music star Dierks Bentley, author Stuart Woods, aerobatic champ and AOPA Ambassador Michael Goulian and comedian Dave Coulier.<\/p>\n
In 2014 AOPA recognized the nearly 700 Hat in the Ring Society members \u201cfirst to fight\u201d spirit by listing each member \u201cby name\u201d in AOPA magazine. Hat in the Ring Society members enjoy special benefits and are invited to events, meetings and receptions at gatherings such as the AOPA Regional Fly-ins, Sun n\u2019 Fun, AirVenture and other occasions where like-minded pilots meet. They are also recognized in the AOPA annual report and have a personal membership liaison at AOPA headquarters. By participating in the Society, members make a significant and lasting contribution to general aviation.<\/p>\n
The AOPA Foundation Inc., is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable, educational, and scientific organization. The Foundation works to improve aviation safety through the Air Safety Institute, preserve community airports and encourages learning to fly for career and personal benefit\u2014all in the interest of ensuring the future of general aviation in America.<\/p>\n