AOPA kicks off 'GA Serving America' ad campaign on anniversary of first flight

AOPA kicks off 'GA Serving America' ad campaign on anniversary of first flight

On the 104th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flight, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is kicking off a television ad campaign to remind Americans how important general aviation airplanes and airports are to their quality of life.

"Americans' freedom to fly for business, charity and pleasure surpasses that of any other nation and contributes mightily to our nation's economic growth," said Karen Gebhart, AOPA executive vice president of communications. "These new commercials explain the many facets of general aviation and the critical role it plays in our society."

Six 30-second television commercials will begin airing December 17 and will continue through January 2. Running exclusively on The Weather Channel, the ads are expected to reach more than 30 million viewers across the United States. In addition to creating awareness about general aviation, the spots will direct viewers to the GA Serving America Web site ( www.gaservingamerica.org) for additional information about the general aviation industry.

The GA Serving America Web site is aimed primarily at nonpilots but can also be useful to pilots. As a teaching tool, the site also provides safety and economic statistics. AOPA members can use the site to explain general aviation to friends, coworkers, and other members of the nonaviation community.

This is AOPA's sixth holiday season ad campaign. To view the commercials on AOPA Online, visit www.aopa.org/wxchannel/.

With 414,000 members, AOPA is the world's largest civil aviation association, working to protect the interests of general aviation. Nearly two-thirds of all U.S. pilots are members of AOPA.

07-4-040

December 14, 2007