The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a Frederick, Maryland-based American non-profitpolitical organization that advocates for general aviation. AOPA's membership consists mainly of general aviation pilots in the United States.[2][3] AOPA exists to serve the interests of its members as aircraft owners and pilots and to promote the economy, safety, utility, and popularity of flight in general aviation aircraft.[4]
A Cessna 182 panel upgrade featured in AOPA publications for the 2011 sweepstakes
With 384,915 members in 2012, AOPA is the largest aviation association in the world, although it had decreased in membership from 414,224 in 2010, a loss of 7% in two years.[5] AOPA is affiliated with other similar organizations in other countries through membership in the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA).[4][6][7] In 2015, AOPA was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[8]
The organization started at Wings Field in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. On 24 April 1932, The Philadelphia Aviation Country Club was founded at Wings Field. The country club was the location of meetings of members that founded AOPA.[9] AOPA incorporated on May 15, 1939, with C. Towsend Ludington serving as the first president.[2][3] In 1971 the organization purchased Airport World Magazine, moving its operations to Bethesda, Maryland.[10]
Programs
AOPA has several programs.
AOPA Foundation is AOPA's 501(c)(3) charitable organization.[11] The foundation's four goals are to improve general aviation safety (under the auspices of its Air Safety Institute), grow pilot population, preserve and improve community airports, and provide a positive image of general aviation.[12]
AOPA Political Action Committee is just for AOPA members. Through lobbying, it represents the interests of general aviation to Congress, the Executive Branch, and state and local governments. The AOPA PAC campaigns in favor of federal, state and local candidates that support their policies and oppose those who do not through advertising and membership grassroots campaigns.[13]
GA Serves America was created to promote general aviation to the public.[14]
Legal Services Plan/Pilot Protection Services provides AOPA members with legal defense against alleged FAA enforcement charges as well as assistance obtaining an FAA flight medical. Enrollment in Pilot Protection Services is only open to AOPA members and requires an additional payment above dues. The Legal Services Plan was combined with the former medical program in May 2012 under the name Pilot Protection Services. The Legal Services Plan was created in June 1983.[15]
Air Safety Institute (formerly the Air Safety Foundation) is a separate nonprofit, tax exempt organization promoting safety and pilot proficiency in general aviation through quality training, education, research, analysis, and the dissemination of information.[16]
You Can Fly, a program to support flying clubs, encourage best practices in flight training, get lapsed pilots back in the air (Rusty Pilots), bring AOPA's resources and expertise to pilot groups across the country, and help high school students learn more about careers in aviation. All while trying to make flying more accessible and affordable. [17]
Events
AOPA sponsors its own Fly-In and open house in Frederick, Maryland. The yearly event started in 1991 with 125 aircraft. By 2001, the attendance grew to 760 aircraft. The event was cancelled for five years after the September 11, 2001 attacks and consequent airspace changes, but resumed in 2006.
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The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association AOPA is a Frederick Maryland based American non profit political organization that advocates for general aviation AOPA s membership consists mainly of general aviation pilots in the United States 2 3 AOPA exists to serve the interests of its members as aircraft owners and pilots and to promote the economy safety utility and popularity of flight in general aviation aircraft 4 Aircraft Owners and Pilots AssociationAbbreviationAOPAFormation1939 84 years ago 1939 FoundersP T SharplesTypeNot for profitPurposeAviation advocacyHeadquartersFrederick Maryland United StatesArea servedWorldwideMembership 2012 384 915Chairman of the BoardBill Trimble III 2005 Vice Chairman of the BoardDarrell Crate February 2014 President amp CEOMark Baker September 6 2013 1 Websiteaopa orgAOPA Headquarters An AOPA owned Cessna Grand Caravan A Cessna 182 panel upgrade featured in AOPA publications for the 2011 sweepstakes With 384 915 members in 2012 AOPA is the largest aviation association in the world although it had decreased in membership from 414 224 in 2010 a loss of 7 in two years 5 AOPA is affiliated with other similar organizations in other countries through membership in the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations IAOPA 4 6 7 In 2015 AOPA was inducted into the International Air amp Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air amp Space Museum 8 Contents 1 History 2 Programs 3 Events 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe organization started at Wings Field in Blue Bell Pennsylvania On 24 April 1932 The Philadelphia Aviation Country Club was founded at Wings Field The country club was the location of meetings of members that founded AOPA 9 AOPA incorporated on May 15 1939 with C Towsend Ludington serving as the first president 2 3 In 1971 the organization purchased Airport World Magazine moving its operations to Bethesda Maryland 10 Programs EditAOPA has several programs AOPA Foundation is AOPA s 501 c 3 charitable organization 11 The foundation s four goals are to improve general aviation safety under the auspices of its Air Safety Institute grow pilot population preserve and improve community airports and provide a positive image of general aviation 12 AOPA Political Action Committee is just for AOPA members Through lobbying it represents the interests of general aviation to Congress the Executive Branch and state and local governments The AOPA PAC campaigns in favor of federal state and local candidates that support their policies and oppose those who do not through advertising and membership grassroots campaigns 13 GA Serves America was created to promote general aviation to the public 14 Legal Services Plan Pilot Protection Services provides AOPA members with legal defense against alleged FAA enforcement charges as well as assistance obtaining an FAA flight medical Enrollment in Pilot Protection Services is only open to AOPA members and requires an additional payment above dues The Legal Services Plan was combined with the former medical program in May 2012 under the name Pilot Protection Services The Legal Services Plan was created in June 1983 15 Air Safety Institute formerly the Air Safety Foundation is a separate nonprofit tax exempt organization promoting safety and pilot proficiency in general aviation through quality training education research analysis and the dissemination of information 16 You Can Fly a program to support flying clubs encourage best practices in flight training get lapsed pilots back in the air Rusty Pilots bring AOPA s resources and expertise to pilot groups across the country and help high school students learn more about careers in aviation All while trying to make flying more accessible and affordable 17 Events EditAOPA sponsors its own Fly In and open house in Frederick Maryland The yearly event started in 1991 with 125 aircraft By 2001 the attendance grew to 760 aircraft The event was cancelled for five years after the September 11 2001 attacks and consequent airspace changes but resumed in 2006 See also EditCanadian Owners and Pilots Association similar organization established in Canada in 1952 Experimental Aircraft Association similar organization focused on homebuilt aircraftReferences Edit Grady Mary 2013 08 20 AOPA Names Mark Baker As New President AVweb Retrieved 2013 08 20 a b none Flying Magazine 76 August 1945 a b Komons Nick August 1989 none Air Progress 51 62 a b Mission and History of AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Retrieved 22 December 2010 IAOPA Statistical Report World Assembly April 2012 retrieved 2012 08 01 IAOPA Statistical Report World Assembly June 2010 retrieved 2012 08 01 International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations Iaopa org Retrieved 2012 08 01 Sprekelmeyer Linda editor These We Honor The International Aerospace Hall of Fame Donning Co Publishers 2006 ISBN 978 1 57864 397 4 Julie Summers May 2014 Where it all began AOPA Pilot 30 none Air Progress 20 September 1971 About the AOPA Foundation Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Archived from the original on 2012 04 02 Retrieved 2012 03 22 AOPA Foundation Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Archived from the original on 2014 04 13 Retrieved 2014 04 14 Political Action Committee Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Retrieved 2014 04 14 Brown Sarah April 20 2009 GA Serves America campaign to protect promote GA Retrieved 2014 04 14 AOPA Pilot June 1983 Air Safety Institute AOPA Retrieved 2014 01 23 You Can Fly Retrieved 8 May 2022 External links EditOfficial Website Records of the AOPA at the Hagley Museum and Library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association amp oldid 1114090075, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
