Finally joined AOPA

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Simply, I'm extremely impressed.

 

[bobbysamd]

AOPA

The monthly magazine is a bit lame for professional pilots, but you cannot beat the member benefits, such as confidential medical and legal counseling.

 

[flywithastick]

AOPA gears the mag toward it's membership. They're mostly GA oriented. They do an excellent job balancing the stories and topics, IMO.

No - it won't satisfy the professional "bus drivers" who got into flying because it pays good or managed to get a pilot slot in the mil because some school counsellor recommended it. But aviators, pro or not, should enjoy it. Just too many inserts!

AOPA is a bargain at twice the price. EVERYONE who flies - particularly GA - really should join. If I had a school/FBO, I believe I'd require membership before bring a renter or student on board.

They offer all kinds of good information and service resources as well. Total service for researching aircraft history, leins, financing, etc. supporting GA purchases/sales. Good people!

very good organization, IMO.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Re: AOPA

The monthly magazine is a bit lame for professional pilots, but you cannot beat the member benefits, such as confidential medical and legal counseling.

I haven't gotten the magazine yet; I guess I'll see if I like it.

 

[ShawnC]

Personally the favorite of the two AOPA rags is their Flight Training Mag.

Now EAA's Sport Aviation is the one that I eagerly wait for every month.

 

[ksu_aviator]

I know most people have good luck with AOPA, as long as you don't try to cash in on services. I needed advice for writting a letter to the FAA about a former student that had gear up landing. They refused, even though I was and had always been paid in full. They claimed they didn't help with legal documents, only advice. I dropped them shortly after that. I rank them right up there with air-inc.

 

[fLYbUDDY]

Probably the best $39 bucks i've ever spent! They really do a great job all around.

 

[Flying Illini]

$37 if you automatically renew on a credit card. I love it and gave a flight training subscription to all of my students.

 

[Q200_FO]

I dropped them too...

I got rid of them a couple of months ago. Don't really have a need for all the GA services now that I fly for a regional. All that legal stuff they offer is already provided for by my union through the dues I pay every month. Plus their main priority is GA not the airlines. My main argument was that I'm not going to support AOPA if they're willing to blow 40+ million on saving Megis when there are more important things out there that matter to me, like that crappy rule the TSA has that can take away my ticket. I will probably never use Megis so the matter if that field stays or goes isn't on the top of my list of priorities.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I be a member?

I be joking around...

 

[dmspilot00]

If you're a member, you can read all the magazine articles from both Pilot and Flight Training. Just make sure you go to the archive link under the "Resources/Info" of the "Member's Only Section". I think both are pretty good but Flight Training was better when it was owned by NAFI. The magazines are worth the $39 and it/they is/are the principle reason I joined. Unfortunately you can't view the pictures with the online version.

 

[slickmagneto]

I dropped them!

In 1990 I was laid off and couldn't part with 39 bucks at the time. When they called for the renewal money I explained my situation and was informed of all the great things AOPA does for the aviation community.
So I say, "Help me find a job and I'll pay"
He says, "That's not what were here for"

So I hung up.

They have wasted a small fortune trying to get my renewal.

 

[Sphincter Boy]

Member since a student pilot in '91.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Member since a student pilot in '91.

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**, care to tell any WWII stories?

 

[AWACoff]

AOPA is so pro-GA, they are anti-safety at times. I personally am not a member and doubt I ever will be. Your dues would be a lot less per year if they would stop junk mailing me twice a month. I have called and told them to stop yet they keep wasting your hard earned money on me. What a thrifty organization.

PS. before you go "ANTI-SAFETY!?", let's not forget the transponder debacle.

 

[~~~^~~~]

AOPA is a great organization. Boyer is not all that bright and sometimes not "all here" but AOPA still provides a great service and does a lot of work to protect GA in the US.

Wish I was not paying for Boyer's Citation Jet and his pilot ( you don't think they would let him fly by himself, even in a CJ, do you? ) But the rest of my $39 is well spent.

 

[darien]

400k members

"July 24 — AOPA, already the world's largest civil aviation organization, is very close to passing a major milestone — 400,000 members."

400,000 X $39 =15,600,000 / year now that's a pretty penny

my money goes to aopa great pro GA organization a bit expensive if you think of it as just a magazine subscription but that's not what it is

 

[Sphincter Boy]

Re: 400k members

[B400,000 X $39 =15,600,000 / year now that's a pretty penny


Thats just bare dues. Some folks actually donate additional money along with their $39 membership.

 

[flywithastick]

anyone who thinks the AOPA is about airlines and magazines just doesn't get it.

They can save the paper my mag is printed on. It's about advocacy for me as a GA pilot, keeping the idiot bureaucrats AND airline interest groups away from me. I've given them donations above the $39/yr too.

Not about safety?! OOOO-K. more instruments and rules doesn't guarantee increased safety.

I've got it! Let's treat it like the airlines want it... no GA in the air! That'll be more safe. Or like the feds want it!! NO airplances in the air!! That'll be the safest! Where's the cost vs. benefit in requiring some middle income guy buzzing around in his -150 requiring him to have a TCAS system? How many -150's are plowing into jets these days? unrealistic objection, IMVHO!

 

[dmspilot00]

anyone who thinks the AOPA is about airlines and magazines just doesn't get it.

Obviously they aren't about the airlines, but it is easy to use the magazines as a justification for paying the $39. That doesn't mean that the mags are the only thing worth paying for, but proves the point that it is a bargain for what you get.

 

[LAXSaabdude]

Wait....I thought AOPA went on strike???

PlaneHPN, where are you???



LAXSaabdude.

 

[fr0g]

In defense of AOPA magazine

Although I am a commercial pilot I believe AOPA magazine is an excellent publication. I would rather read it than any of those others that talk about overpriced planes and the "latest" in how to be a safe pilot.. same stuff over and over and over.
Also, since I still enjoy GA, I feel it is worthy of support. My pilot training took advantage of GA, and I want it to be around for future generations of pilots.
Just my personal opinion though

 

[TWA Dude]

Good stuff, Maynard

I've been a member since I got my CFI in 1992. The AOPA serves the GA community very well. I've called them several times for FAR interpretation stuff (very helpful!) and once for a friend with a possible FAA violation. Even as a big-shot airline pilot (somebody re-hire me, please!) I've never lost touch with GA and I want to stay informed.

BTW I fully support AOPA's efforts for CGX (Meigs). I can't believe I've actually voted for Daley. Quoth the raven, Nevermore!.

 

[Goose Egg]

I am a member. I don't usually have time to read the magazine though. Another good "overpriced magazine subscription" is the Soaring Society of America. A lot of soaring clubs out there require you to be SSA members to join. Great mag.

-Goose

 

[atlcrashpad]

Member since 1992.

 

[ePilot22]

Old School Thread!

Geez, Egg you went deep into the dungens of FI to find this thread huh.

Member since '02 and renewin' in March! I like that they support GA, if sometimes (in the opinions of others) the go to far, but what's that saying... Drastic situations call for drastic measures? Or something like that.

I support GA and AOPA!!! :beer:



eP.

 

[wrxpilot]

anyone who thinks the AOPA is about airlines and magazines just doesn't get it.

They can save the paper my mag is printed on. It's about advocacy for me as a GA pilot, keeping the idiot bureaucrats AND airline interest groups away from me. I've given them donations above the $39/yr too.

Not about safety?! OOOO-K. more instruments and rules doesn't guarantee increased safety.

Yeah, I don't get these people that don't see the need for supporting a very effective GA organization now that they are "in the regionals" or whatever. Wow, great way to forget your roots. Pretty much all of the experienced guys I know that are senior airline capts, high up in the airforce, etc. are very pro-GA and lifelong AOPA members. Amazing some of the arrogance I see here by "pilots" that are just barely breaking in the professional ranks. Glad to see most here understand that GA has its back against the wall and is in need of all of us.

 

[wrxpilot]

I've been a member since I got my CFI in 1992. The AOPA serves the GA community very well. I've called them several times for FAR interpretation stuff (very helpful!) and once for a friend with a possible FAA violation. Even as a big-shot airline pilot (somebody re-hire me, please!) I've never lost touch with GA and I want to stay informed.

BTW I fully support AOPA's efforts for CGX (Meigs). I can't believe I've actually voted for Daley. Quoth the raven, Nevermore!.

Haven't had to use them for legal advice (yet, knock on wood). But I have emailed and called them on various issues. Phil Boyer himself has responded personally and quickly on several of those issues. Out of all the other organizations I am part of (professional and recreational), I have never experienced such great service.

 

[navigator72]

Nope, I used to belong but not anymore and probably won't subscribe again. (I do enjoy the magazine though, I can usually find a copy sitting in an FBO).

 

[gfvalvo]

Yeah, I don't get these people that don't see the need for supporting a very effective GA organization now that they are "in the regionals" or whatever. Wow, great way to forget your roots. Pretty much all of the experienced guys I know that are senior airline capts, high up in the airforce, etc. are very pro-GA and lifelong AOPA members. Amazing some of the arrogance I see here by "pilots" that are just barely breaking in the professional ranks. Glad to see most here understand that GA has its back against the wall and is in need of all of us.

No kidding. Those big iron guys who look down their noses at the piston/GA crowd once they “make it” are just glorified bus (truck) drivers, IMHO.