Government Advocacy Resources for You
AOPA Communications Resources for You
AOPA members have long been leaders in the effort to broaden public understanding of general aviation. Along the way, they have also introduced non-pilots to the enjoyment of flight and inspired many to learn to fly.
Their voluntary efforts are an important factor in wider public acceptance of general aviation.
To help pilots who would like to spread the good word about general aviation, AOPA has created the brochures, pamphlets, and fact sheets described below. They are available in reasonable quantities by calling 800/USA-AOPA, or by writing to AOPA Communications Division, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
Speaking to the media
AOPA's Guide to Talking to Reporters
A short online course designed to inform pilots about the media and to offer tips on dealing with reporters' questions.
Providing hands-on experience in aviation
AOPA's Guide to Learning to Fly
A non-technical overview of what's involved in becoming a pilot, with a strong emphasis on debunking popular misconceptions about GA. Limited to AOPA members.
Take 'em Flying! (requires Adobe Reader) An appropriate and well-planned flight in a general aviation aircraft is probably the quickest way to overcome misconceptions about general aviation. The brochure Take 'em Flying! encourages pilots to share their love of flying by providing a firsthand flying experience to people unfamiliar with general aviation.
Facts, statistics, and glossaries
Emotional arguments, however sincere, carry little weight. Decision makers want facts. Often, they need aviation information "interpreted" for them. Here's help.
What Is General Aviation? (requires Adobe Reader)
Reveals the breadth of GA, from personal, recreational and business flying to air ambulance, law enforcement, agricultural application, and much more.AOPA Air Safety Foundation Joseph T. Nall Report
The first report issued each year on GA safety in the previous year. Reviews GA safety by categories, identifying leading causes of GA accidents and offering suggestions for improving an already-good GA safety record.Aviation Fact Sheets
Extensive treatment of aviation facts and figures, designed for permanent file use. A good item to present to journalists who cover aviation events.GA Statistics
Facts on pilot certification, airports, aircraft, activity, and flight safety.AOPA's ABCs of Aviation — an Aviation-to-English Dictionary
The acronyms and jargon that characterize everyday "aviation-speak" not only bewilder the uninitiated, they can create a psychological barrier between aviation and the community. "AOPA's ABCs of Aviation" can help bridge the gap.
Write a letter, defend GA
Erroneous news stories, out-of-context quotations, and unfounded negative judgments can prejudice the public mind against general aviation. But such bias can be countered. Two AOPA publications can help.
Writing a Letter to the Editor
An AOPA guide offering insights of experienced journalists on writing a letter to the editor that will set the record straight. It also gives tips on getting a letter published or broadcast.How to Communicate with Elected Officials
Local, state and national political figures have great power over general aviation's rights and freedoms. And most of them do heed communications from their constituents — letters, phone calls, even e-mail and Internet comm. This brochure offers the tips of Washington insiders on effective, targeted communications with elected officials.
Plant the seed early
If general aviation is to recover ground lost in the past decade, we must draw more people into flying. While young people may not be able to afford flying lessons immediately, stirring early interest in aviation will pay dividends in future student starts.
Here are some guidelines for introducing young people to aviation in exciting and productive ways.
PATH to Aviation
AOPA has created an exciting and highly educational book especially for pilots and secondary school teachers. It's called PATH — Pilots and Teachers Handbook — and it effectively connects math, science, physics, history, and technology to the basics of general aviation.Aviation and You: A Student's Guide to Aviation (requires Adobe Reader)
A color publication for teens with sections about airplanes and how they fly, careers, learning to fly, aviation terms, facts, and history, and a resource list.
Save our airports
The AOPA Airport Support Program can help you organize an advocacy group armed with the political skills and economic facts to defend your airport.
How to Have a Successful Media Event
A concise brochure that includes facts about GA, ideas for involving reporters and strategies for successful events promoting your local GA airport.The Complete Guide to Holding an Airport Open House (requires Adobe Reader)
A step-by-step guide to staging an airport open house that will help non-pilot neighbors appreciate the value of a convenient community GA airport.Airports: Resources for Obtaining Community Support
Guidance and suggestions for organizing your airport group, creating public relations and political action programs, calculating the value of your airport to the community, and dealing with safety, noise and land-use issues. Includes a list of additional resources. In brief, how to save your airport!
