FREDERICK, Md. — On this day in 1939, five pilots — all unabashed aviation enthusiasts — gathered near Wings Field north of Philadelphia and signed the charter that would launch the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), a fledgling group that was destined to become the world’s largest aviation member association. Then, as now, AOPA’s […]
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Thousands attend first AOPA Regional Fly-In
More than 2,500 people took part in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) 2014 regional fly-in held in San Marcos, Texas, last Saturday. This was the first of seven fly-ins AOPA will host this year. The ramp at San Marcos Municipal Airport was bustling with pilots and aviation enthusiasts of all ages, according to […]
AOPA launches first member fly-in this Saturday
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest member-aviation organization, will host the first of seven fly-ins for 2014 at San Marcos Municipal Airport (KHYI) on Saturday, April 26. Hundreds of aircraft are expected in San Marcos, and also at nearby New Braunfels Airport (KBAZ), the fly-in’s reliever airport with shuttle bus service […]
AOPA promises strong opposition to user fee proposal
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said Tuesday it would continue to reject aviation user fees after the White House released its 2015 budget proposal, which calls for a $100-per-flight “surcharge” to pay for air traffic control services. The presidential spending plan is the fourth in a row to contain a similar user fee proposal, […]
AOPA AV8RS program awards scholarships
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) AV8RS youth membership program has awarded four scholarships totaling $20,000 to teens who are pursuing flight training in high school and college. The winners are Alexander Brown, 15, of Boyds, Md., Abigail Jarve, 17, of Seatac, Wash., Carl Eefsting, 17, of Allendale, Mich., and Matthew Groh, 18, of […]
AOPA gets back to basics
With the new year came a big new announcement from our friends in Frederick, Maryland. Six new fly-in events will grace the calendar starting in 2014, spreading from the east coast to the west coast, with important bases of operation in the middle of the country, too. Yes, this is big news. It signifies and […]
AOPA unveils dates, locations for regional fly-ins
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has revealed the dates and locations of its first-ever regional fly-ins to be held nationwide throughout 2014. The association will host six fly-ins as well as an “AOPA Homecoming” in Frederick, Md., giving AOPA members throughout the United States a chance to interact and share ideas with AOPA […]
Maybe the O stands for opportunity
Next week, Fort Worth, Texas, will fill up with pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, writers, reporters, business owners, spouses, friends, and all the assorted characters who travel along with the big aviation enthusiast road show. The draw is the AOPA Summit, an annual gathering of the faithful, the hopeful, and the not-entirely-satisfied who all have […]
Rod Machado joins AOPA Live This Week
AOPA Live This Week will feature a new series, “License to Learn,” hosted by renowned flight instructor and professional speaker Rod Machado. Machado has signed on to create two videos each month, approximately two minutes in length, as part of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) weekly report on aviation news and developments. Machado […]