Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
AbbreviationAOPA
Formation1939; 85 years ago (1939)
FoundersP.T. Sharples
TypeNot for profit
PurposeAviation advocacy
HeadquartersFrederick, Maryland, United States
Area served
Worldwide
Membership (2012)
384,915
Chairman of the Board
Bill Trimble III (2005)
Vice Chairman of the Board
Darrell Crate (February 2014)
President & CEO
Mark Baker (September 6, 2013)[1]
Websiteaopa.org
AOPA Headquarters
An AOPA-owned Cessna Grand Caravan
A Cessna 182 panel upgrade featured in AOPA publications for the 2011 sweepstakes

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a Frederick, Maryland-based American non-profit political organization that advocates for general aviation. AOPA's membership consists mainly of general aviation pilots in the United States.[2][3] AOPA exists to serve the interests of its members as aircraft owners and pilots and to promote the economy, safety, utility, and popularity of flight in general aviation aircraft.[4]

With 384,915 members in 2012, AOPA is the largest aviation association in the world, although it had decreased in membership from 414,224 in 2010, a loss of 7% in two years.[5] AOPA is affiliated with other similar organizations in other countries through membership in the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA).[4][6][7] In 2015, AOPA was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[8]

In September 2024, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) appointed Darren Pleasance as its sixth President and CEO. Pleasance, with extensive experience in aviation and business, is set to officially assume the role on January 1, 2025.[9]

  1. ^ Grady, Mary (2013-08-20). "AOPA Names Mark Baker As New President". AVweb. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "Mission and History of AOPA". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  5. ^ IAOPA Statistical Report World Assembly, April 2012, retrieved 2012-08-01
  6. ^ IAOPA Statistical Report World Assembly, June 2010, retrieved 2012-08-01
  7. ^ "International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations". Iaopa.org. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  8. ^ Sprekelmeyer, Linda, editor. These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame. Donning Co. Publishers, 2006. ISBN 978-1-57864-397-4.
  9. ^ "AOPA names new CEO". Globalair.com. 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2024-09-25.