How is the airplane sweepstakes winner chosen?
You now know that AOPA recently awarded a refurbished Piper Twin Comanche as the grand prize in AOPA's 2004 Win-A-Twin Sweepstakes. Ever wonder how the winner of the aircraft offered in the annual AOPA Sweepstakes is determined?
The short answer is that the winner is chosen according to the Official Rules you see published for each sweepstakes. The Official Rules are now published for AOPA's 2005 Commander Countdown Sweepstakes. Those Official Rules are the final authority for the conduct of the sweepstakes, but we can summarize some of the process here.
From 1/1/2005 through 12/31/2005, you will receive an entry each time you perform one of the following acts: (a) join AOPA or renew your AOPA membership; (b) participate in AOPA's Member-Get-A-Member program and receive 1 entry for each individual who joins AOPA during the Promotion Period and identifies you by your AOPA membership number as his/her sponsor; (c) enroll in or renew your membership using AOPA's Automatic Annual Renewal Program; (d) each CFI who participates in the AOPA Flight Training Instructor Program will receive 1 entry for each unique student name and address he or she submits that is processed by AOPA during the Promotion Period and 1 additional entry if that student joins AOPA during the Promotion Period; and (e) complete an official entry form available from AOPA as described in the Official Rules. As you can see, there are plenty of methods to enter.
All entries are tabulated by AOPA. At the end of the sweepstakes, all valid entries will be compiled into a computer file (mail-in entries must arrive at AOPA by 10 a.m. ET 1/8/06 to be eligible). Each entry will be assigned an individual number. The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing, to be held on or about 2/15/06 from these numbers. AOPA retains an independent accounting firm to assist in conducting the random drawing. (Last year, the accounting firm of Grant Thornton, LLP, located in Vienna, Virginia, selected the winning number.) The winning number is then matched with the corresponding entry to determine the name of the lucky individual. If the individual selected is not eligible to win, then the prize will be awarded to an alternate winner also selected in the same random drawing process. Eligibility is determined in accordance with the Official Rules. For example, employees of AOPA are naturally not eligible to win.
Remember, this is just a summary of the process. You must consult the Official Rules for the complete description. However, we hope that this summary will be helpful to those who have indicated an interest.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCE OF WINNING. The sweepstakes is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all federal, state, and local laws. The complete rules are available at www.aopa.org/sweeps/officialrules.html.
March 8, 2005
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