Is AOPA doing a good job?

FloridaPilot

FloridaPilot

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Hello,


I got my bill in the mail from AOPA for $60.00 bucks! It's really not the price that is important, (Because it's cheap) but my main concern is do you believe that AOPA is doing a good job in promoting GA? To be honest if I didn't have an interest in flying I wouldn't know GA existed. How do you get the people who might have an interest in GA to interested?

I believe everything is marketing, and how you market certain activities.

What is your opinion?


As always thanks for your input!
 
I'm considering switching to EAA; they seem to be more of the front porch of aviation. While their advocacy may not be as strong on a political level, they're doing a far better job at a grassroots level. Between local chapters, seminars, and fly-ins, they seem to provide far more to their members.
 
ebykowsky said:
I'm considering switching to EAA; they seem to be more of the front porch of aviation. While their advocacy may not be as strong on a political level, they're doing a far better job at a grassroots level. Between local chapters, seminars, and fly-ins, they seem to provide far more to their members.
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AOPA lobbied AGAINST sport pilot, (they wanted to maintain the recreational pilot cert) EAA had the clout to get it through. Who has the clout now? Enough said.
 
No. AOPA isn't going a good job.

>How do you get the people who might have an interest in GA to interested?

Word of mouth.
Local pilots taking other people flying.
Community outreach.
Educating others about flying (soooooo many misconceptions to be corrected)
Protecting local aviation assets (e.g., airports)
 
ebykowsky said:
I'm considering switching to EAA; they seem to be more of the front porch of aviation. While their advocacy may not be as strong on a political level, they're doing a far better job at a grassroots level. Between local chapters, seminars, and fly-ins, they seem to provide far more to their members.
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I just googled EAA,

It seems like they provide more for their members from what I see on the webpage. It's also cheaper too, ($40.00 Per individual).
 
Geico266 said:
AOPA lobbied AGAINST sport pilot, (they wanted to maintain the recreational pilot cert) EAA had the clout to get it through. Who has the clout now? Enough said.
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Why would they do that? They are suppose to SUPPORT aviation? :confused:
 
They do a very good job of fund raising,as a member of AOPA and EAA,I think my money is better spent on EAA.
 
I am still too new to know. I joined AOPA, but have not joined EAA as of yet. There is a local EAA chapter that seems to be fairly active. I am considering joining. I will be curious to watch the replies here.


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mikeinbama said:
I am still too new to know. I joined AOPA, but have not joined EAA as of yet. There is a local EAA chapter that seems to be fairly active. I am considering joining. I will be curious to watch the replies here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I joined about six months ago (AOPA) It's free for six months as long as you are a student. Now the time is up and they want to extend my membership. I was wondering if they are doing a good job in promoting GA because I haven't seen anything of note as of yet. I did get the 6 magazines and I enjoyed all of the articles but I just felt like something more needs to be done for GA.

I never heard of EAA until I posted on here and so far I'm more interested in EAA then AOPA, (The pilot cap that AOPA provides is of no interest to me).
 
It's a great organization and you get your money's worth in goods/services (use of forums, hat's, bags, etc.). They do a great job lobbying on GA's behalf. I don't agree with their position on everything, but overall they do good work and have saved our bacon a number of times.

Back when I used to frequent the red board there was a cutie, Claire, who was their admin. That poor girl took a beating from the regulars and the job was eventually given to someone else. I always felt bad about the way she was treated and hope she's doing well now.

Back to AOPA... I think about their finances the same as I do almost every organization....that there is a lot of $ that is not spent wisely. But by and large you'll get back more than you put in. There are a couple of AOPA execs that check in on these boards occasionally so I'm sure we'll hear from them soon. Maybe one will highlight their successes over the last few years.

Read a few articles written by private pilots in other countries and you'll see just how fortunate we really are. I don't think enough people here appreciate how much we owe EAA and AOPA.

FloridaPilot said:
The pilot cap that AOPA provides is of no interest to me.
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Shoot, I love mine, but one is now dirty beyond repair and the other has shrunk so it's time to look for a new one.
 
I think we need more general marketing outside of the aviation circle instead of just preaching to the choir all the time. Take out some print ads in Golf Digest, Cycle World or Boating World, etc...
 
I am a member of AOPA, EAA, and ABS. If I had to choose for financial reasons, it would be a toss up between AOPA and EAA, but I'd probably pick EAA. As soon as I was able, I'd add AOPA.
 
Gerhardt said:
It's a great organization and you get your money's worth in goods/services (use of forums, hat's, bags, etc.). They do a great job lobbying on GA's behalf. I don't agree with their position on everything, but overall they do good work and have saved our bacon a number of times.

Back when I used to frequent the red board there was a cutie, Claire, who was their admin. That poor girl took a beating from the regulars and the job was eventually given to someone else. I always felt bad about the way she was treated and hope she's doing well now.

Back to AOPA... I think about their finances the same as I do almost every organization....that there is a lot of $ that is not spent wisely. But by and large you'll get back more than you put in. There are a couple of AOPA execs that check in on these boards occasionally so I'm sure we'll hear from them soon. Maybe one will highlight their successes over the last few years.

Read a few articles written by private pilots in other countries and you'll see just how fortunate we really are. I don't think enough people here appreciate how much we owe EAA and AOPA.



Shoot, I love mine, but one is now dirty beyond repair and the other has shrunk so it's time to look for a new one.
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If I decide to renew my membership to AOPA I will send you my hat, It will just collect dust in my garage.

When you say great organization were you referring to EAA or AOPA? I'm a bit confused! :confused:
 
jhausch said:
I am a member of AOPA, EAA, and ABS. If I had to choose for financial reasons, it would be a toss up between AOPA and EAA, but I'd probably pick EAA. As soon as I was able, I'd add AOPA.
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I could certainly do both but what are the advantages of becoming a member over the other? :dunno:
 
What I get from AOPA...I like the conversations on the Forum but I have to be more selective these days. I used to ask a question and get an answer, now I have to wade through a bunch of snarky comments and movie references but I eventually get it; access to the flight planner and airport guide; Group life insurance-I have medical issues; they are my plane insurance broker this year but while at Oshkosh I'll shop around and of course a hat.
I guess the biggest benefit of AOPA is the Air Safety Foundation. I attend a couple of their seminars a year.
 
Yes.

Extra words added here as required by POA.
 
Only at taking credit for the work done by others. Operationally, they are clueless.
 
When I started my training I joined AOPA and EAA. I'm not a homebuilder so EAA doesn't do much for me and I don't really care about either magazine.

AOPA certainly does more on the advocacy front which is where I'd want my money going...skip the EFB, skip all the other junk. I don't really see EAA doing a whole lot of advocacy by themselves.

I've gotten quite a few emails about state politics and how aopa is trying to lower state taxes which is a good thing...don't see EAA doing much of that either.

I always thought more of EAA's power was at the local chapters and that the mothership doesn't do much but I could be wrong
 
Hat?
What hat?
I never got no stinkin' hat!

I can't even get them to change my magazine subscription from Student Pilot to whatever their other mag is called. :dunno:

But those are personal issues - advocacy? - when making my late-in-life decision to finally proceed with my flight training, I too did not know of AOPA's existence or purpose until my name/address got shared with them from somewhere else leading to a blind mailing.

Seems a flurry of anti-GA editorialization of late. Has AOPA reacted? :dunno:
 
FloridaPilot said:
I could certainly do both but what are the advantages of becoming a member over the other? :dunno:
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Different magazines, different mission focus, I guess.

As far as I am concerned, belonging to those orgs is just part of being a pilot. They are part of the hobby for me.
 
FloridaPilot said:
I joined about six months ago (AOPA) It's free for six months as long as you are a student. Now the time is up and they want to extend my membership. I was wondering if they are doing a good job in promoting GA because I haven't seen anything of note as of yet. I did get the 6 magazines and I enjoyed all of the articles but I just felt like something more needs to be done for GA.

I never heard of EAA until I posted on here and so far I'm more interested in EAA then AOPA, (The pilot cap that AOPA provides is of no interest to me).
Click to expand...


If you're a student pilot (I got my ASEL at age 45) I think the AOPA has a lot of good resources for you. Their Flight Training magazine is very good as well.

As for your more macro question, I think AOPA's leadership with Phil Boyer was much better and more visible than they people they have had in leadership since then.
 
How about someone post a list of what they have accomplished over the past 5 years. Not a list of what they have lobbied for, supported, or pursued. Just a list of what they have acuatlly accomplished that had tangible benefits.

Keith
 
kmacht said:
How about someone post a list of what they have accomplished over the past 5 years. Not a list of what they have lobbied for, supported, or pursued. Just a list of what they have acuatlly accomplished that had tangible benefits.

Keith
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Found these in 5 minutes of searching the 'advocacy' tab of the website. I went through taxes, airports, and congress areas.

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...House-passes-bill-to-make-tax-break-permanent

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...rovision-stripped-from-Missouri-tax-exemption

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/May/22/Homebuilders-win-tax-exemption-in-Kansas

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...iation-tax-exemption-becomes-law-in-Wisconsin

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...ture-passes-aviation-sales-tax-exemption-bill

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/March/19/Texas-advocacy

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video.../Medical-reform-legislation-reaches-milestone

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...mittee-passes-recreational-use-liability-bill
 
kmacht said:
How about someone post a list of what they have accomplished over the past 5 years. Not a list of what they have lobbied for, supported, or pursued. Just a list of what they have acuatlly accomplished that had tangible benefits.

Keith
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1. You have the freedom to fly in the nations airspace.

Without AOPA you would be paying to use ATC services. Plus you would be required by law to use ATC services.
 
In my opinion, membership in AOPA is definitely money well spent. In order to maintain the ability to fly like we do now, we have to have an advocate in Washington.
 
Zeldman said:
1. You have the freedom to fly in the nations airspace.

Without AOPA you would be paying to use ATC services. Plus you would be required by law to use ATC services.
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Nonsense. Thanks to AOPA you will need ADS-B to fly in a bunch of places. AOPA is our enemy.
 
Challenged said:
I think we need more general marketing outside of the aviation circle instead of just preaching to the choir all the time. Take out some print ads in Golf Digest, Cycle World or Boating World, etc...
Click to expand...

I remember the "Be a Pilot" campaign of the 1990s (IIRC). They pushed aviation to the general public and it didn't really work in a big way and they quit.

Also, promoting GA to the public isn't AOPA's only mission and not the only criterion by which to judge their performance. Pilot services, advocacy, lobbying, airport protection(!!), and safety are other missions and I think they do a great job.

The slow death of GA is not AOPA's fault.

People aren't coming out in droves to become pilots for lots of reasons:

  • Small airplanes scare the sh** out of people for a reason. We have a sh***y safety record. Any time someone points this out we have to start dissecting the numbers to defend GA. By that time they've lost interest.
  • Becoming a pilot is a world class PITA.
  • The FARs suck the fun out of flying and many students quit at the point they realize they have to study that mumbo-jumbo.
  • Flying is very expensive unless you go AB (and even then)
  • Your PPL (much less sport or rec) is only of limited usefulness. Lots of limitations due to WX. More training to get IFR.
  • You have to step up to larger, better-equippend (more expensive) airplanes to haul passengers and deal with weather.
There are a lot of externalities that AOPA can't control. A lot of those emanate from the FAA and a large portion of those are in place for good reasons.

To my mind, certification costs are the #1 thing to attack to get costs down. Perfection should not be the enemy of good.

In any case, simply promoting GA, while still necessary, is not enough.
 
MichiPilot said:
Found these in 5 minutes of searching the 'advocacy' tab of the website. I went through taxes, airports, and congress areas.

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...House-passes-bill-to-make-tax-break-permanent

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...rovision-stripped-from-Missouri-tax-exemption

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/May/22/Homebuilders-win-tax-exemption-in-Kansas

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...iation-tax-exemption-becomes-law-in-Wisconsin

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...ture-passes-aviation-sales-tax-exemption-bill

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/March/19/Texas-advocacy

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video.../Medical-reform-legislation-reaches-milestone

https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video...mittee-passes-recreational-use-liability-bill
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Add to the list they did away with the national fly in and went to regionals this year. After all the haranguing that went on about the wine club, Mark is bringing AOPA back to the pilots. Of course, AOPA will get little to no credit for its efforts either.
 
Lets see, what has AOPA done for me personally? If you fly for a living and don't have AOPA legal protection, you are just nuts. I have used their legal services a few times and it is well worth the 99 bucks.

What has AOPA done for aviation? They take on regulatory and legislative threats to GA. There is a certain political group that wants you to have your credit card ready when you talk to ATC. AOPA in Washington D.C. is actively engaged in every policy issue that affects GA.

AOPA is in all 50 states working against excessive taxes and fees and securing tax cuts. No new aviation taxes have been implemented in any state in the past two years.

AOPA Political Action Group ensures that the cause of GA is recognized in Congress. Voluntary, again thats VOLUNTARY contributions enable the PAC to wage focused and effective campaigns for GA in Washington D.C.

Not to mention pilot resources like AOPA pilot information center, FLYQ, the digital planner, online aviation weather that gives you graphical real time aviation weather information. And the Online airport directory that is pretty much updated daily.

Also the insurance and financial side, AOPA insurance services-aviation. AOPA aviation financing, aircraft title and escrow services, AD&D insurance (accidental death and dismemberment) term life insurance, emergency assistance plus that gives you 24 hour emergency and medical assistance backup plan for emergency expenses.

Not to forget the Air Safety Insitute which gives you interactive online courses, safety quizzes, webinars and seminars to help pilots challenge their knowledge of air safety.

I cannot list everything AOPA does for GA because I don't have enough time. For those that say AOPA is useless, you get back what you put into it. Just thank your lucky star they work for your freedom to fly. Or not fly.
 
No. AOPA's job is not marketing GA anyway. AOPAs job is to drain the wallets of unsuspecting people with an interest in aviation and hire 'crats to put out a marginal newsletter and host a few town hall meetings(where they harvest more people's money). AOPA success at their stated mission is miserable. Nothing they have ever heard from capitol hill has ever been a bad idea, except where they fought AGAINST the SP/LSA program, which has turned out to be the one sane thing the FAA has done in the past 50 years.

They support the coming ADS-B requirements, they encourage the feds to be involved in every aspect of GA, they were ineffective for 30 years in any kind of PBR until a senator got snagged, then all of a sudden - Wham! We've got a PBR. They advocated for the restrictions on class B airspace, and wanted to keep the old TRSA model and expand that - and lost. Didn't even bother to step in and fight the transponder and mode C requirements cuz they knew it was foregone. Airport and airway trust fund went through - no matter what AOPA said. Airport and airway trust fund raided time and again for gen fund, AOPA action? - A strongly worded, I mean strongly worded letter to congress. pfffft

I can't think of anything in my lifetime that the FAA hasn't implemented which was successfully opposed by AOPA. Being that they have always been in Frederick MD, a stone's throw from the beltway(between the FRZ and Camp David, P40) should tell you all you need to know about where AOPAs bread is buttered.
 
docmirror said:
Being that they have always been in Frederick MD, a stone's throw from the beltway(between the FRZ and Camp David, P40) should tell you all you need to know about where AOPAs bread is buttered.
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All of these threads devolve into this...where and why would you have aopa located anywhere else specifically?
 
MichiPilot said:
All of these threads devolve into this...where and why would you have aopa located anywhere else specifically?
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Joplin MO. Heart of the US.

Central TX. Most GA active state.

KC MO. Historical home of many GA planes.

Jeaneu AK. Greatest need for GA services and support.

Orlando FL. Mickey and Universal.

Vegas NV. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Really, if you think they are where they are for their advocacy on the hill, or in the beltway, I already showed you how wrong/ineffective they are. No one listens to, or cares about what AOPA thinks before legislating. If anything, they will listen to AOPA to get the slant and then tailor the legislation the opposite to appeal to fellow congressmen/senators or to the gen pop which has a decidedly different set of political goals(restrict GA to the greatest extent).

If you disagree, I'd like you to reconcile why I have to register with the feds when I LEAVE this country by aircraft, and not when I leave by car, rail, boat, or feet. Yep - the only ones who need to be authorized to LEAVE the US, are those who fly. AOPA at it's finest...

<edited for grammar>
 
Let's not forget that AOPA is an organization and the EAA is a private company. By definition they have to operate differently. Much like an aircraft carrier and a PT boat. One can react to events much quicker than the other.
 
cgrab said:
Let's not forget that AOPA is an organization and the EAA is a private company. By definition they have to operate differently. Much like an aircraft carrier and a PT boat. One can react to events much quicker than the other.
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Would you care to elaborate? I thought they were both not-for-profit corporations.
 
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