Winning strategy

I joined the AOPA editorial team in January 2019, just as the AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Super Cub project was reaching its climax. I was excited to finally learn what went on behind the scenes to create these aeronautical masterpieces. You see, I became a member of AOPA the same year I earned my pilot certificate at the age of 23. Like so many of you, I read the sweeps updates and wondered how the airplanes were chosen, who helped restore them, and how a few lucky pilots were chosen to fly them around the country. And I daydreamed about winning one.

After joining the staff at AOPA I learned most of our aviation content producers are pilots, many are current or past aircraft owners (ranging from Ercoupes to Bonanzas), and all are passionate about general aviation. With each new sweepstakes, one person on staff is selected to manage the project—and it’s quite a heavy lift. Whether the project manager has owned an aircraft or not, the process of buying the airplane, working with partners to upgrade it, and fighting deadlines to ensure the airplane is on display at major airshows is usually challenging—and always educational. We regularly share the successes and setbacks with members in all our media channels.

As you’ve no doubt noticed, we typically go all out on the modifications and upgrades made to the sweepstakes airplanes (see “Tiger Transformed,” p. 50). And although it would typically not be economically viable to trick out older airplanes to this degree, the sweeps airplane demonstrates how the latest technology and some wonderful craftsmanship can transform almost any aircraft make and model into a thoroughly modern machine. Then we give it away.

We want to—need to—invite all aviation enthusiasts to become part of the AOPA community to help.As a member, you’re automatically entered in the drawing to win the sweepstakes airplane—no raffle tickets required. It’s one way we say, “thank you for being a member.” We also encourage pilots who are not members to join AOPA so they, too, can be automatically entered to win the sweeps. No purchase is necessary to enter or win and the winner does not need to be an AOPA member, but joining is the easiest way to enter. You can help support AOPA and general aviation by letting your pilot friends know about the sweepstakes giveaway. We want to­­— need to—invite all aviation enthusiasts to become part of the AOPA community to help protect our freedom to fly and enable AOPA to provide the broadest possible array of member benefits.

The AOPA Sweepstakes Grumman Tiger also demonstrates how we are intent on being careful stewards of your membership dollars. The airplane was donated by generous members. The engine, engine accessories, propeller, avionics, interior trim, exterior lighting, paint, windows, wheel fairings, and so much more were donated—and the installation and painting services heavily discounted—by amazing partners who want to both showcase their products and services and help create the ultimate flying prize for one lucky pilot. These contributors have kept AOPA’s cost very low compared to the final value of the aircraft. I thank every sweepstakes contributor for making that possible.

We hope the winner loves their new airplane and routinely flies it to interesting destinations, like the ones we tell you about on these pages and online. And if this is the winner’s first airplane, AOPA’s Pilot Information Center will be on call (or email or chat) to answer questions about airplane ownership, operation, or travel, just as we are for all members who are buying an aircraft.

The 25 sweepstakes airplanes AOPA has refurbished and given away include nine Cessnas, six Pipers, two Beechcraft, one vintage Waco, and one each from Aviat, Commander, Cirrus, Grumman, Mooney, Remos, and Van’s.

What’s the next airplane that will be transformed from nice to spectacular? Stop by the AOPA campus at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to find out. We look forward to seeing you there.

[email protected]