Yes I was harsh, but I stand by my point.
The insurance issue was originally flagged up, and is being dealt with by a RAeC committee under chairmanship of the BGA's chairman. The NPPL was proposed by AOPA, but admin is virtually all handled by PFA and BMAA, as was much of the construction of it's syllabus. The NPPL medical was largely created by the BMAA's medical advisor. The PFA coaching scheme and BMAA / BGA administered training systems go far beyond anything handled by AOPA. All three of PFA, BMAA and BGA employ incredibly capable PERMANENT engineering departments with constant access by their membership. PFA and BMAA also both retain very energetic airfield planning consultants.
I have on occasions asked AOPA for help in my professional capacity (as a senior employee of a major GA organisation, not as a private member) and got no assistance whatsoever.
I do know that the new(ish) chairman Prof.Done is trying to make big changes, and sincerely hope he is succeeding in doing something useful with the organisation - without doubt if it does a fraction of what US AOPA does it will be worthwhile. Also, AOPA without doubt has helped a few people out of legal problems, and it's aerobatic syllabus is excellent. But for the time being I firmly believe that the three big sports flying associations, the RAeS and increasingly the RAeC (after some years in the doldrums itself) provide far better value for money to their membership.
G
(Also, and I know this is past history, but AOPA was the most passionate advocate of JAR-FCL before it's implementation.)