Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to general aviation, was incorporated on May 15, 1939. From the start, AOPA has fought to protect the freedom to fly while keeping general aviation safe, fun, and affordable. Growth in the early years was slow, but by 2010 more than 400,000 individuals were AOPA members.

What does it mean to be an AOPA pilot? For many of us, it means taking the controls of an aircraft and living out a dream that humans have pursued throughout the ages. For some, it means an aspiration to learn to fly, and for still others it simply means an unbridled enthusiasm for aviation and a desire to share it with others.

The AOPA team, operating out of offices in Frederick, Maryland, and Washington, DC, exists to protect and to grow the incredible privilege that we call general aviation. Whether it is through educating the public about the fun and the utility that aircraft can provide, preparing resources and training material to enhance the skills of pilots everywhere, or advocating for aviation within government agencies—it is our job to maintain the strength and vitality of the flying community.