Why Every Pilot Should be a Member of AOPA
AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of general aviation pilots and aircraft owners in the United States. Founded in 1939, AOPA supports pilots through advocacy, safety education, member resources, and services.
Today, AOPA serves hundreds of thousands of members across more than 75 countries, making it one of the world’s largest aviation membership organizations.
(source: https://www.aopa.org)
What is the AOPA?
AOPA, or the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, is a major association in the aviation community. It welcomes pilots and aircraft owners from across the U.S. and focuses on protecting the freedom to fly through advocacy, plus offering training resources, safety programs, and member support services.
Reasons for Pilots to Join AOPA
There are several reasons why pilots join AOPA, ranging from advocacy to education and member savings.
Advocacy
AOPA advocates for general aviation at multiple levels, including policy and regulatory issues that affect how and where pilots fly.
Safety
AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI) provides safety education through online courses, webinars, quizzes, and other training resources to help pilots sharpen skills and make safer decisions.
Cost Savings and Member Perks
Membership includes tools and discounts such as travel planning resources and other exclusive member benefits.
Community
AOPA membership connects you with a large pilot community and keeps you plugged into general aviation news, training, and issues affecting pilots nationwide.
Expert Help
AOPA members can use the Pilot Information Center/helpline to ask aviation questions (including certain medical-related questions) and get guidance from knowledgeable staff.
How Much Does an AOPA Membership Cost?
AOPA offers multiple membership options, including standard membership, Pilot Protection Services bundles, and a life membership option. (Pricing can change, so confirm on AOPA’s website before purchasing.)
Regular AOPA Membership
- Cost: $89/year
- Includes: Advocacy, access to Air Safety Institute resources, travel tools/discounts, Pilot Information Center/helpline, and additional member benefits.
Basic Pilot Protection Services
- Cost: $149/year (monthly option may be available)
- Includes: All AOPA membership benefits plus added support such as basic legal support, pilot/medical certificate protection, assistance for certain accident/testing scenarios (time-limited), document review, and more.
Plus+ Pilot Protection Services
- Cost: $189/year (monthly option may be available)
- Includes: All AOPA membership benefits plus expanded/maximum legal and certification support features and increased coverage hours for certain situations.
AOPA Life Membership
- Cost: $1,999 one-time
- Includes: Regular membership benefits for life, with the option to add Pilot Protection Services.
FAQs
-
Is AOPA only for aircraft owners?
No—AOPA is for pilots and aviation enthusiasts broadly, including student pilots, renters, and aircraft owners.
-
What’s the difference between Regular Membership and Pilot Protection Services?
Regular membership focuses on advocacy, safety education, and member resources. Pilot Protection Services tiers bundle AOPA membership with added legal/medical certificate support features and expanded assistance.
-
Does AOPA membership include insurance?
AOPA promotes access to insurance options, but membership itself is not an insurance policy. Review AOPA’s insurance offerings to see what’s available and what costs extra.
-
Is AOPA worth it for student pilots?
Many student pilots find value in safety training resources, learning tools, and having a pilot support network. If you want additional certificate/legal-style support, AOPA also offers Pilot Protection Services options that may be appealing for students and private pilots.
-
Can I pay monthly instead of yearly?
Some Pilot Protection Services tiers may offer monthly pricing options in addition to annual plans.
Takeaway
In short, AOPA membership can be a smart investment for pilots who want advocacy support, safety education, member resources, and a strong GA community behind them. For pilots who want added legal and certificate-support features, AOPA also offers Pilot Protection Services tiers that bundle those benefits with membership.
To learn more about AOPA, visit www.aopa.org.
More safety-focused reads to help you avoid aviation disasters:
-
7 Types of Turbulence Every Pilot Should Know (What Causes It)
-
The Top 11 Books Every Student Pilot Must Read (For Test Prep and Beyond)
Did you find this article helpful?
Do you think we missed anything important? Let us know in the comments below!
