Air-craft owner and pilot's association , which is commonly known as AOPA is a non-profit, efficient and most influential organization in the aviation world.

It is marked with effective advocacy, enlightened leadership, technical competence and hard work.

it was established on 15 th may 1939. It has head quarter at Maryland. By 1999 its membership crossed 3.5 lakh. Phil Boyer is its president.

AIM----

Unlike FAA , which is a regulatory body it plans for the betterment of its members i.e. crew members including pilots and owners.

FUNCTION---

Its functions can be broadly classified into three categories.

1. Representation
2. Information
3. Education

1. AOPA technical and operational specialists provide advocacy and representation before FAA on the issues affecting interests of its members in the aviation e.g. air-craft certification, maintenance, operation, fuel, emission, airman and medical certification, international regulatory harmonization.
2. It has a political committee which concerns over political decision affecting general aviation, pilot and owner's right.
3. It has a legal service committee. Every year thousands of pilot facing legal action. For their consultation and representation before FAA, AOPA helps.
4. Protects the right of pilots at the local, state and federal level. It cocerns over

 

 
 
 

air- space restrictions, fuel taxes, airport closings and any issue that affects

rights of the pilots like privatization of ATC.

5. AOPA petitions FAA to eliminate cumbersome flight instructor certificate

 

 
 
 

renewal requirement. A flight instructor certificate generally remains valid for one year. Previously the instructor had to appear before the FAA member to revalid after one year. But AOPA's intervention help them to appear the examination even within the valid period. But once it crosses the barrier instructor has to check-ride with an FAA inspector.

6. JAA- FAA harmonization of flight crew licensing requirement.

 

 
 
 

Joint Aviation Authority is the regulatory body for aviation in Europe. AOPA previously helps in harmonizing standards of JAA and FAA for aircraft certification, maintenance, operation and standards.

More recently its harmonization shifted to flight crew licensing requirement . Now both are acting under a common regulatory board ARAC

(Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee) from 1st July 1999.

7. FAA institutes streamlined administrative action process. (SAAP)

 

 
 
 

AOPA concerned over FAA's ill- fated ticket program which was given to incompetence airman. Now a FAA inspector has to council airman and after a record of review a warning letter or a letter of correction is sent. Before FAA was issuing the ticket on the spot. Now the airman can make pertinent comment on the case of involvement.

8. AOPA's intervention helps FAA redefining " High performance" air-craft.

 

 
 
 

Air- craft having engine power more than 200 HP are declared as high power.

9. AOPA finance low rate loans, pre-purchase, pre- qualification feature can be

 

 
 
 

given to its members.

10. AOPA has a travel discount scheme for the AOPA traveler's club.
11. AOPA has also provide insurance to air-craft.
12. AOPA gives $1000 for the death of a crew member in accident even if he is not insuranced.

1. AOPA communication division works to create the media coverage of general aviation.
2. AOPA also edits some periodicals giving recent change in rules, regulations and minute details. e.g. AOPA pilot, AOPA Airport Directory .
3. It also provides on line service for its members

1. on line weather
2. Flight planning
3. Airport Directory
4. Air-craft evaluation.

EDUCATION---

1. It organizes seminars on safety aspects of aviation . Low cost educational materi-

2. On Jan 1999 AOPA ended with 207^th pilot town meeting of the decade.Nearly

The members of AOPA has to give an annual payment or they may purchase

credit card of MBNA America which has a connection with AOPA.