Aircraft Owners Pilots Association

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.

We take to the skies for many reasons, and are driven by motivations as varied as we are; while some of us fly to further business goals and stimulate the economy, others relish the exhilaration and the beauty that come with experiencing the world from a different perspective. While our community is remarkably diverse, there is one common idea that is shared by all AOPA pilots—a love of flight.

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.

Our mission is to ensure that the sky remains within reach of everyone who dreams of becoming a pilot.