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What is AOPA?

AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, represents American general aviation on behalf of more than 415,000 dues-paying pilots and aircraft owners. AOPA is often called “THE VOICE OF GENERAL AVIATION.”

AOPA was founded in May 1939 in Philadelphia by five visionary aviators who recognized general aviation’s need for an effective advocacy organization to help make flying safer, less expensive, more useful and more fun.

AOPA’s staff of 210 is headquartered at Frederick Municipal Airport in Frederick, Maryland, north of Washington, D.C. Other activities are located in downtown Washington and in Wichita, Kansas. Association expertise ranges from airspace and air traffic control to pilot medical certification and airport-community relations. AOPA Pilot magazine is the largest circulation monthly in general aviation, and AOPA Flight Training magazine is the premier publication for flight instructors and student pilots.

AOPA represents general aviation’s interests with the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Congress and with other aviation organizations on behalf of its members.

Serving the cause of ever-improving aviation safety, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation was created in 1950 to develop and conduct programs of continuing pilot education.

AOPA administers the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), founded in 1962 to link 67 national pilot organizations worldwide, including the latest addition: AOPA Peru. IAOPA holds the seat for the worldwide general aviation community at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal.

While service to members remains its primary job, AOPA actively pursues better public understanding of general aviation and its benefits to the nation.

-AOPA-

01/2010

June 29, 2010