That's right—a new version of Explore Oregon, the official OPA Passport Program, is coming your way.

We're working on the details now, but as a teaser, here are some questions people have been asking, along with our answers:

Q. When will the new Explore Oregon program be available?

A. We are working on it as I type. The plan is to announce the initial version in the March edition of Prop Wash.

Q. Will there still be a $25 fee for the passport booklet, or other charges?

A. No! The new Explore Oregon will be a (free) member benefit. Members will download the booklet from our website.

Q. Will it be a limited-duration program as in the past?

A. No! The new program will run year-round.

Q. Will the program involve "stamps"?

A. No. The OPA board of directors pondered this in great detail and came to the conclusion that physical stamps are a high-maintenance version of something that can be much simpler. From experience, the stamps are treated as trophies (that is, they are often stolen), or the ink pads dry up, or some other issue. We're going to go with the pilot's honor system, whereby you land and either get someone at the airport to sign your passport book, or you snap a photo of you and your aircraft at a recognizable location on the airport and included it in your book. Simple.  

Q. Will the program be expanded to cover all of Oregon's (public use) airports?

A. Yes! We will likely roll it out in phases, but we plan on covering the whole state.

Q. Wait...that's a lot of airports. Do I have to fly to every one of them?

A. Not necessarily. The program will include various challenges, and the completion of any will earn recognition awards. For example, we imagine a Central Oregon challenge, a Southwest challenge, and so on. You fly as many challenges as you like and get recognition along the way. 

Q. You mention awards. What does that mean?

A. Well, beyond just the sheer fun of flying to different airports, we are seeking sponsorship from state and national aviation business in order to provide recognition awards of various sorts. Perhaps gift certificates, perhaps achievement patches, perhaps some stylish gear. Time will tell!

That's it for now. Please standby for the launch in early March.