Member Guide

AOPA, 421 AVIATION WAY,
FREDERICK, MARYLAND 21701

TOLL-FREE PILOT INFORMATION CENTER
Call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Click www.aopa.org

NEW ADDRESS?
Send your new address and AOPA membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4798
Fax 301/695-2375
Click www.aopa.org/coa-form.html

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
Call 800/638-3101
Click www.aopa.org/asf/

AOPA CREDIT CARD PROGRAM
Call 800/523-7666
Click www.aopa.org/info/cc/

AOPA AIRCRAFT INSURANCE
Call 800/622-AOPA (622-2672)
Click www.aopa.org/aircraftinsurance.html

AOPA LEGAL SERVICES PLAN
Call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Click www.aopa.org/legalservices.html

AOPA ONLINE TRAVEL
Click www.aopa.org/travel/

OTHER AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS
Call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Click www.aopa.org/memberproducts/

North to Alaska!

It’s June and flying activity is in full swing in Alaska. For those in the lower 48, flying there can be the adventure of a lifetime. Although Alaska isn’t an international destination, most general aviation aircraft will need to stop in Canada for fuel along the way. So, the international procedures for flying to Canada apply to that portion of the trip and AOPA has detailed resources online. There is also a great deal of important information specific to Alaska that’s discussed in this month’s online Answers for Pilots. Did you know that pilots are required to carry emergency equipment year-round when flying in Alaska? Or that many Alaskan towns and villages have banned alcohol within their boundaries, and some of these local governments may search your aircraft before you are allowed to enter the village? Or that although most of Alaska’s runways are gravel and unlighted, airspace around major population centers can be quite crowded and contain special restrictions and requirements?

Read more online about flying in Alaska, and if you have questions, give the pilots in AOPA’s Pilot Information Center a call, 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672), Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Bank of America’s Debbie Smith comes through for AOPA member

When Adam Epstein, an insurance adjuster from Milford, Massachusetts, decided to buy an airplane, he shopped around—but not for financing. “I went straight to AOPA,” he says, “because I value their opinion and they provide great resources.” When he learned that the financing would be through Bank of America, that was a plus: Bank of America is Epstein’s regular bank.

Borrowers don’t normally gush about their lending officers, but Epstein does. He worked with Bank of America’s Debbie Smith, and he couldn’t have been more pleased. “When I got the aircraft specs and other paperwork to Debbie, she turned it around in 24 hours and got me approved.

“She moved quickly and took very good care of me. She got back to me, returned my calls, answered my questions,” he says. “She is very outgoing, very friendly, very caring.” And when it came time to make the actual money transfer, that went smoothly as well. Epstein said, “I just made a phone call, and two hours later, the money was at the seller’s bank. Everything just went smoothly.”

As for his airplane, Epstein bought a 1979 Piper Dakota. He plans to use it for family travel with his wife and 6-year old son. And speaking of his son, he was the only rough patch. Seems Epstein’s son is more into trains than airplanes—at least for now. He urged his dad to buy a train instead. “I’m sure he’ll love the airplane once we have it,” says Epstein.

Epstein experienced firsthand how the AOPA Aircraft Financing Program makes aircraft financing easy and aircraft ownership affordable through Bank of America. For more information or to have a Bank of America rep call you to discuss financing, visit the Website.

Go green and renew your membership online

Renewing your membership online is safe, secure, and convenient—and eliminates the need to mail renewal notices. Our online renewal is an easy, two-step process that takes only a few minutes. You will receive an automatic receipt confirming your renewal. And AOPA will redirect the savings towards protecting general aviation and providing valuable resources and services to our members. You can renew your membership online.