Guide to AOPA Member Services

Your AOPA membership card has changed its looks over the years — from a small laminated card to the style of a credit card with a pretty picture of an aircraft flying against red sunlit clouds. Regardless of the style, the significance of the message invoked by this token of membership remains unchanged — it demonstrates your affiliation with and commitment to aviation. More than half a century ago, the AOPA membership card did just that for AOPA member Roland P. (Bud) Powell, when it confirmed his pilot status and meant a world of difference to his future, as illustrated in his story. — Machteld A. Smith

I had been in the 1940 Civilian Pilot Training Program, and after obtaining my private pilot certificate, I was accepted into the Flying Cadet Program on November 25, 1941. While in the Army Air Corps Class of 42-J, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed the entire program, and I was called into service in March 1942. During the first few days of basic training at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, one of several background questionnaires revealed that I had once fainted. As a result, I had to take an additional physical.

Several days after I took my physical, I heard an announcement: "Will the following named aviation cadets please fall in with their personal belongings in front of the barracks in one-half hour for shipment to navigation school." My name was called loud and clear, and my world crashed. My whole world at that time was aviation, and a dream of piloting had come to an end.

Although I was a very quiet person, I gathered up my nerve, walked into the commandant's office, saluted, and said, "Sir, I just heard my name mentioned on the PA for shipment to navigation school." He looked at me. "Yes, remember the physical you took the other day?" I nodded. "You didn't pass it." I was shattered and slowly turned to go. "Oh, by the way, you don't happen to have a pilot license do you?" "Yes, sir, I do." "Do you have any proof with you that would verify this?" I had sent all of my personal belongings home and desperately tried to find something that would show that I was a pilot.

I pulled out my wallet, and lo and behold, there was my AOPA card. I had joined AOPA the previous year. I know I had a big smile as I showed it to the commandant, who smiled too. "How soon can you get your certificate to me?" he asked. "I will get it on its way immediately." "Very well, go back to the barracks and forget the shipment call." I was alive again.

I spent five years in the Army Air Corps and went with TWA in 1947 and spent 30 very enjoyable years there, all thanks to my AOPA card. I am still a member after all of these years and will remain so until.

Rowland P. (Bud) Powell AOPA 006503
Leawood, Kansas