AOPA is an organization that protects the "freedom to fly by:
- advocating on behalf of our members,
- educating pilots, nonpilots, and policy makers alike,
- supporting activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation,
- fighting to keep General Aviation accessible to all, and
- securing sufficient resources to ensure our success." (AOPA, n.d.)
"AOPA's first political activity was to urge passage of a Senate bill that would establish the Civilian Pilot Training Program." (AOPA, n.d.) This helped thousands of people to earn pilot certificates utilizing government subsidies. G.A. interest and aircraft sales skyrocketed, and provided training for pilots who later flew in World War II. They were also instrumental in getting a reduction in the cost of medical examinations. They advocated for the construction of more airports to handle higher numbers of pilots flying. AOPA also started studies to show improving safety records, hoping to attain lower insurance rates.
ALPA is the world's largest union for pilots, providing representation for over 50,000 pilots in the U.S. and Canada. "ALPA represents pilots' views to decision makers, including Congress and federal agencies, and ALPA pilot groups have negotiated hundreds of contracts with airlines." (ALPA, n.d.)
It is important to belong to organizations because they can be a great resource in the course of fixing any issues that may arise in one's career. In addition, membership can be a great source of networking. The airline industry is relatively small, all things considered, and you never know what may be the piece of the puzzle that makes you stand out next to others.
References
Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/About-AOPA/Governance/Mission-and-History-of-AOPA
Air Line Pilots Association. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.alpa.org/about-alpa/what-we-do
ALPA
represents pilots’ views to decision-makers, including Congress and
federal agencies, and ALPA pilot groups have negotiated hundreds of
contracts with airlines. - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.IIJwdMqh.dpuf
ALPA
represents pilots’ views to decision-makers, including Congress and
federal agencies, and ALPA pilot groups have negotiated hundreds of
contracts with airlines. - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.IIJwdMqh.dpuf
to
promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all
segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and
general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial
aviation - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/en/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.Ls1OilWG.dpuf
to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all
segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and
general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial
aviation - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/en/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.Ls1OilWG.dpuf
to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all
segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and
general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial
aviation - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/en/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.Ls1OilWG.dpuf
to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all
segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and
general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial
aviation - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/en/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.Ls1OilWG.dpuf
to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all
segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and
general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial
aviation - See more at:
http://www.alpa.org/en/about-alpa/what-we-do#sthash.Ls1OilWG.dpuf
Being in the general aviation sector at this point in our aviation careers, AOPA is a very good organization to be apart of. As you mentioned they have many benefits that could help pilots trying to pursue their aviation careers. ALPA is the same thing just on the airline level. Both organizations are great to be apart of.
ReplyDeleteI think that your right to say that being part an organization can make you stand out. If you belong to an organization like the AOPA there is a potential that your future employer could be as well. Having this in common could lead to more questions and a potential job. Many people in different aspects of aviation are members of the AOPA and this could be a very good networking tool.
ReplyDeleteI recently wondered if my Grandmother benefited from the Civilian Pilot Training Program, passed in the Senate. She earned her private pilot certificate while my Grandfather was conducting pilot training in Florida, in the B-17. She passed a few years before I began my pilot training, so at that time I didn’t even know to ask.
ReplyDeleteI would agree and even say that networking is the greatest benefit of these organizations. Everybody knows somebody in this tiny industry that can hook you up with a job or a buddy for some recreational good times.
ReplyDeleteNice Job! I agree with you that the importance of joining organizations like these is to fix any issues that occur in the your aviation career. It has been preached throughout this program that networking is vitally important for this industry, so organizations give you the opportunity to do this.
ReplyDelete