Tools to make your flying easier, safer, more fun
If you’ve been an AOPA member for a while, you’ve probably got some favorite benefits and tools you like to use—our magazines, the websites, or our newsletters, for example. But whenever I talk to members, I’m amazed by how few of their member benefits they use or are even aware of. The truth is that there are literally hundreds of ways we can make your flying easier, safer, and more fun. I canvassed folks around the office for some of their favorite lesser-known benefits. Now I challenge you to break out of your routine and check out some of these tips and tools. And if you’re already an expert on these, send us some of your own favorites that we can share with your fellow members.
I feel pretty safe saying that pilots like to eat. There’s a reason pancake breakfasts have become a staple of our community. (If you want to find one in your area, check out the Aviation Events Calendar under the Community & Events tab on AOPA.org.) And most pilots have a favorite airport restaurant. But why limit yourself to the same old places? Next time you’re planning a flight, discover something new. AOPA Airports, found under the Flight Planning tab on AOPA.org, lets you search for airports with restaurants on the field. You can search within any radius of an airport or ZIP code to find a restaurant that will make your next trip a little tastier.
And while you’re planning that trip, it’s probably a good idea to take a look at taxiway diagrams and instrument approach procedures. You can download them individually or get all the diagrams and charts for an airport at one time through AOPA Airports. They’re official FAA charts and they’re free, so whether you print them out or download them to your tablet, you know you’ve got easy access to the latest information for your flight.
Are you dreaming about owning an airplane and wondering how far your budget will stretch? Or maybe you’re in the market to buy or sell an aircraft. Take advantage of Vref, an exclusive member benefit that lets you select an airplane make, model, and equipment and get an approximate market value. It’s a great way to see how far your budget will go, or to get an idea of what your airplane—or one you’re considering buying—is worth. You’ll find Vref under the Products and Services tab on AOPA.org.
Being an AOPA member is like having a buddy who always knows the inside scoop. If you’ve got a tough aviation question or just need an answer you can depend on, turn to our Pilot Information Center (PIC). A simple call (800-872-2672) or email ([email protected]) will put in you in touch with real experts such as people who have flown professionally, owned an FBO, or been an airport manager or a flight instructor. When you call or email AOPA’s PIC, those are exactly the kinds of experts you reach. Not only are they tremendously knowledgeable, they know how to research and find the answers to your most challenging GA questions. Want to know how the FAA is interpreting a regulation? Got a question about the nitty gritty of buying an airplane or arranging a leaseback? Need to understand the ins and outs of planning an international trip? PIC can help.
As an AOPA member, you also get your own customized early warning system for short-term airspace changes that can help keep you out of trouble. You definitely don’t want to be caught off guard when a temporary flight restriction pops up in your area. We’ll send you email alerts when there’s a TFR scheduled within 250 nautical miles of your location. You can also follow our alerts on Facebook and Twitter.
Looking for a career in aviation? You might be surprised to learn that AOPA can help connect you to the right position with an aviation employer. The AOPA Aviation Jobs Board is your resource for jobs in every aspect of the aviation community. A quick check of the board today showed me openings for pilots, flight attendants, aviation finance specialists, engineers, unmanned aircraft systems operator instructors, and donor and alumni relations experts, to name a few.
The best part about all of these benefits is that they are free to AOPA members—and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. I’d love to share more great insider tips, so if you’ve got a favorite tip, trick, or tool, let us know. We’ll pass it on so all our members can get the most out of their association and their flying.
Email [email protected]
Mark Baker became AOPA’s fifth president in 2013.
