Just a mouse click away
By the last week of June, more than 25,000 pages of information had been posted on AOPA Online (www.aopa.org). That's a lot of information! This is information that you as an AOPA member have access to simply by visiting the Web site and clicking away — well, it's more sophisticated than that and more valuable. "The AOPA Web site contains information collected from every corner of the building," says Seth Golbey, vice president of Internet services. "We have a commitment from every department in AOPA to offer as much information as possible, and if a member needs more, they simply need to ask."
There are three easy ways to find information on AOPA's Web site. On the home page, click the bright yellow navigation button labeled Search. This will link you to AOPA Online's search engine. From here, you can enter your search terms, or "keywords," to find pages of information on various topics such as renewing your certificate, icing, or purchasing a used aircraft.
The search function offers the ability to search the entire AOPA Web site or to narrow your search to information in the public area (available to anyone who logs onto the site); the members-only area (which requires your AOPA membership number); news updates; and information from the pages of AOPA Pilot magazine (posted when the magazine is mailed so that the very latest articles are available).
Unfamiliar with how to use a search engine or want to perform more advanced searches? Click on the underlined phrase "more help on searching" for useful tips and searching techniques. In the Special Access section of the home page's table of contents, members will find the Information Resources function. That yellow button takes visitors to the AOPA library and its content of more than 17,000 documents compiled and collected by AOPA. These documents include the complete content of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), advisory circulars, aviation subject reports, the federal aviation regulations, notices of proposed rulemaking — and many more topics. On the right-hand side of the information resources page is an easy-access directory to more topics such as aircraft ownership, weather, and legal issues. All are easily accessed by clicking on the underscored phrases.
"AOPA has a state-of-the-art search engine," says Golbey. "But we suggest that you be as specific as possible in your information request." For example, the AIM is mentioned in hundreds of documents. If you are looking for a topic related to the AIM, type a comma after that term and add an additional term that would help narrow your search (for example, "AIM, fuel").
You can also use your browser to search for a specific word on the Web page that you are currently viewing. Simply press the CTRL button on your keyboard, and hold it down while simultaneously pressing the F key. A special Find screen will pop up on your monitor, allowing you to type in the term that describes the topic that you are searching for.
AOPA posts and updates more than 15,000 new pages on the Web site each year. "We work with the experts in AOPA's Aviation Services department to help determine what's the most needed information to post and update," adds Golbey.
Accessing the information on the Web site also helps you get better assistance from the specialists in AOPA's Aviation Services department. You can get basic information on your question from the Web and have the information enhanced with a follow-up call to the aviation technicians. "The technicians tell us that use of the Web by members makes the telephone call more efficient and more informative," says Golbey.
You can reach experts in all fields of aviation via AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/), the AOPA Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA), and e-mail ( [email protected]). Aviation technical specialists respond promptly to member requests while AOPA Online provides members with access to information and resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free AOPA Pilot Information Center gives you direct access to specialists in every area of aviation. The center is available to members from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
AOPA Web resources
Learn what's new on AOPA Online; access the AOPA news release archive; view the most recent AOPA aviation fact card… and more.
www.aopa.org/whatsnew/
Read articles from the current issue of AOPA Pilot magazine; get the most recent information from AOPA ePilot; access the complete AOPA calendar of aviation events…and more.
www.aopa.org/pilot/
Find information on more than 7,500 landing facilities and 6,200 fixed-base operators; access instrument approach charts; and download AOPA's new eDirectory of the nation's airports.
www.aopa.org/members/airports/
Learn the medical certification requirements for private pilots; view a list of the nation's medical examiners; find out what are FAA-accepted medications; check the status of your medical certification…and more.
www.aopa.org/members/resources/medical.html
Access AOPA's vast library of aviation-related documents such as AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Advisors, advisory circulars, the AIM, technical subject reports…and more.
www.aopa.org/members/files/
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