The AOPA Foundation is awarding $2.2 million in scholarships—the largest amount in the foundation’s history—to nearly 400 recipients out of more than 6,800 who applied.
Since the first R.A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy was awarded to Hoover himself in 2016, the trophy has been presented annually to aviators who inspire a love of flight in others. Jared Isaacman accepted the honor on March 19, joined by other 2025 honorees who accepted their own awards from AOPA during a reception in the historic Terminal A Lobby at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
AOPA: Your Freedom to Fly, AOPA’s video channel, was recently honored with YouTube’s Silver Creator Award in celebration of reaching 100,000 subscribers.
As I settle into my new office here at AOPA headquarters (what a thrill that is to say!), I am struck by the word “settle.” It’s not something I often do. I like change. I like learning new things. I like expanding my horizons. And I like to be better at everything every day.
Mark Baker had been a member for years when he took the helm at AOPA in 2013. But like most new employees, he quickly had a revelation—there’s a lot more to the association than most people realize. Even longtime members like Baker can get a bit of shock when they step behind the curtain.
I recognize that I am a lucky man. I’ve been able to fuel my passion for flying with great airplanes and wonderful people who shared their passion for aviation with me.
AOPA has named Darren Pleasance to serve as the association’s sixth president and chief executive. Pleasance, who will assume his new role at AOPA on January 1, brings a wealth of aviation and business experience.
It’s summertime and the work continues. Our media team has been out and about all summer, from Texas to California to Missouri, collecting stories no matter the weather. Read these stories and more in upcoming issues.
ForeFlight Mobile users will soon be able to browse events listed in AOPA’s online calendar within ForeFlight and plan trips to fly-ins, seminars, workshops, airshows, and other events that bring pilots together.
General aviation is a broad spectrum, and our editors are out and about exploring the corners and edges of our industry along with the more recognizable makes and models. No such thing as an ordinary day with an ordinary airplane. And usually there’s more than one story to be found at the same location.
It’s that most wonderful time of the year again. The time when we celebrate the great gift of our freedom to fly by joining thousands of our fellow pilots and aviation enthusiasts for a week of all things flying. Descending on the world’s largest airshow is truly a holiday season for us.
Aviation gear and accessory provider Flight Outfitters formed a partnership with AOPA to launch a new AOPA gear store on FlightOutfitters.com. This agreement brings together two well-known names in aviation to deliver a range of flight equipment and apparel featuring AOPA branding.
Greetings, AOPA members! It is that time of year when we look back at all AOPA has accomplished, what we’re working on now, and our plan for the future.
AOPA President Mark Baker will be the 2024 recipient of the Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence in recognition of his fierce leadership and passionate commitment to general aviation.
Every Story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Sometimes the beginning is the story, as in the case of Fly Compton, a California nonprofit aimed at introducing young people to aviation. With other stories, the end is the compelling part, as in the case of a 22-year odyssey to restore a Golden Age monoplane, or the happiest of days when a member finds out they have won the AOPA Sweepstakes airplane.
When it came time to choose what the next AOPA sweepstakes aircraft would be, there was no question that we wanted to select a noteworthy airplane to commemorate AOPA’s remarkable and storied 85-year history.