AOPA UK Memberships
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AOPA UK Memberships
Hi Everyone,
I have searched through the forums and not found anything in the last couple of years reagrding AOPA memberships in the UK, so thought I would ask.
I have read on the AOPA website www.aopa.co.uk about the various benefits and read old forums and articles about benefits, all of which are a bit mixed. Some say they have been able to use the aircrew cards for discounts, speeding up through queing at security etc etc but is any of this true.
Is there anyone that is an AOPA member with an aircrew card, if so what are your experiences. I dont want to join AOPA if I'm not going to benefit from the paying membership fees. I must admit the website does not give a lot away.
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Terry
I have searched through the forums and not found anything in the last couple of years reagrding AOPA memberships in the UK, so thought I would ask.
I have read on the AOPA website www.aopa.co.uk about the various benefits and read old forums and articles about benefits, all of which are a bit mixed. Some say they have been able to use the aircrew cards for discounts, speeding up through queing at security etc etc but is any of this true.
Is there anyone that is an AOPA member with an aircrew card, if so what are your experiences. I dont want to join AOPA if I'm not going to benefit from the paying membership fees. I must admit the website does not give a lot away.
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Terry
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You can join AOPA without paying for an aircrew card: In my experience you can occasionally get car hire discounts with the aircrew card but on the hop hotel discounts don't come so easily.
Surely the purpose of joining AOPA UK is not to see how many freebees you can wangle but to boost membership so that AOPA can become a worthy organisation to represent UK GA in the same way as US AOPA looks after its own.
A big increase in new blood into AOPA UK might stir some of the older brigade.
Cusco
Surely the purpose of joining AOPA UK is not to see how many freebees you can wangle but to boost membership so that AOPA can become a worthy organisation to represent UK GA in the same way as US AOPA looks after its own.
A big increase in new blood into AOPA UK might stir some of the older brigade.
Cusco
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Thanks Cusco and I do agree with your point about AOPA UK becoming as strong as the USA. I must admit if I lived in the USA I dont think I would think twice about joining as it seems very different and far more beneficial to be a member for a multitude of reasons. I dont get that same feel from AOPA in the UK, certainly not from looking at the website and the few views I have had from my other members at my flying club have been rather mixed.
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The only only way to rectify that is for everyone to get up off their @ rses and join AOPA UK, rather than sitting around in clubhouses all over the country whingeing.
I agree AOPA website is poor and the AOPA forum on another site gets so taken over by squabbling by three AOPA members. each wanting the last word that no-one goes there any more.
Yes, in answer to your next question, I am a member: joined in 1994.
Cusco
I agree AOPA website is poor and the AOPA forum on another site gets so taken over by squabbling by three AOPA members. each wanting the last word that no-one goes there any more.
Yes, in answer to your next question, I am a member: joined in 1994.
Cusco
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The AOPA website is not that bad - You can join online - From the clubhouse and then go back to moaning!
T
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T
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Life's too short for ironing
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I read your post with my jaw dropping. What am I going to get out of it, what will it do for me, what will be my benefits etc, etc
Not sure if you meant it that way, but thats sure how it comes across - me, me, me.
If AOPA, EAA, NBAA and all the other aviation organisations had been started by folks with that sort of attitude, they would have achieved nothing, instead of being strong groups who can fight and advocate for aviation. If AOPA in the UK is too wishy washy, join it, get your vote in and force it, or lead it to improve.
Who is going to fight for aviation when some nutter in the UK decides to avenge themselves on the world in the same way the guy in Austin, TX did earlier this week? A disparate group of individuals?
Not sure if you meant it that way, but thats sure how it comes across - me, me, me.
If AOPA, EAA, NBAA and all the other aviation organisations had been started by folks with that sort of attitude, they would have achieved nothing, instead of being strong groups who can fight and advocate for aviation. If AOPA in the UK is too wishy washy, join it, get your vote in and force it, or lead it to improve.
Who is going to fight for aviation when some nutter in the UK decides to avenge themselves on the world in the same way the guy in Austin, TX did earlier this week? A disparate group of individuals?
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Fernytickles, I think you should reread my posting as you have completely read into it the wrong way and added your own words. Nowhere in my post have I said what do I get out of it or anything of the sort. I simply asked a general question and said "I dont want to join AOPA if I'm not going to benefit". Simply put, who would join an organisation with a paid membership if it was not going to benefit them (whether this be in the collective or individual sense). I am fully supportive of the AOPA as a group and what they stand for to all in the aviaition industry. Surely you cannot disagree these organisations are there the benefit of all of us aviators?!
I also think the comparison to the event is Texas is out of line and in poor taste.
I also think the comparison to the event is Texas is out of line and in poor taste.
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to boost membership so that AOPA can become a worthy organisation to represent UK GA in the same way as US AOPA looks after its own.
It should be about ME ME ME because why else would someone join an organisation unless THEY get benefit from it? We don't do it out of the goodness of our hearts.
The first place the press run to when an incident like the Austin one happens, is AOPA US. In the UK they would say "AOPA who?".
AOPA UK have had PLENTY of opportunity to improve themselves and attract more members, I expect PPLIR have more members now, and they have been running for far less time. Why? They represent the interests of their members and give them something useful in return - they are proactive. AOPA UK do not appear to be. And they don't appear to be that effective either.
I am a member of AOPA US and have been since 2001. I do a lot of flying in the USA which is why I joined. They have useful content on their website, ranging from the interactive "courses" (some of which are recognised by the FAA towards the BFR requirement) to the VREF aircraft valuation tool. Not to mention their very good magazine which is better than most UK GA Mags.
They liaise closely with the FAA and whenever the FAA proposes changes that will affect GA they are there straight away and the FAA listens to them as they are respected. They are able to represent individual pilots with the FAA - for example if you failed your medical they could argue your case. The same relationship with the UK CAA does not exist on the same level. When a newspaper reports some negative GA story, AOPA US write a reasoned well balanced response which is published and takes the heat away.
I'm a member of PPL/IR and they have always seemed to represent their members on a similar level to AOPA US which is why I remain a member. If that changes then I'd re-consider my membership but at the moment I am happy with them.
Perhaps now is the time to disband AOPA UK and start AOPA EASA?
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PPLIR have significantly less members that AOPA UK around 15% as I recall. AOPA UK is part of IAOPA which a franchise from AOPA USA. They also represent very different areas of GA and is the reason why there is a cross pollination between the two groups.
AOPA is run as a business only in the sense that it run to cover it's operating costs. There are no shareholders and nothing other than staff salary is taken from the business. Everything else is put towards the costs of representation. The AOPA accounts are freely available to members.
They do have assets such as property, but as has been debated in the past, why sell a property that has minimal costs and spend the money and go and get into debt to get another one? Sound like a recent story of the economy. It should also be noted that the property was a result of an AOPA benefactor who wanted the organisation to be able to devote every penny towards representation rather than fancy office space. Part of the building is sublet and the income goes towards the operation of the business.
These arguments will always rage. The fact is you choose who you want to represent on the basis of your interests. I am an LAA, AOPA, PPLIR member and am happy with the different job that each of these does for me.
I suggest that anyone looking for representation chooses accordingly and like myself they may find that they join more than one.
AOPA is run as a business only in the sense that it run to cover it's operating costs. There are no shareholders and nothing other than staff salary is taken from the business. Everything else is put towards the costs of representation. The AOPA accounts are freely available to members.
They do have assets such as property, but as has been debated in the past, why sell a property that has minimal costs and spend the money and go and get into debt to get another one? Sound like a recent story of the economy. It should also be noted that the property was a result of an AOPA benefactor who wanted the organisation to be able to devote every penny towards representation rather than fancy office space. Part of the building is sublet and the income goes towards the operation of the business.
These arguments will always rage. The fact is you choose who you want to represent on the basis of your interests. I am an LAA, AOPA, PPLIR member and am happy with the different job that each of these does for me.
I suggest that anyone looking for representation chooses accordingly and like myself they may find that they join more than one.
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A couple of Me Me Mes
Discounted fuel for AOPA members.
Plus very more important, a long campaign by Charles Strasser getting no landing fees at almost all UK airfields when an aircraft diverts to an aifield/airport for safety reasons.
Charles did all this as AOPA
We never realise the benefits we get from organisations we are members of, until we realy need help.
Yes I am a member too
FB
Plus very more important, a long campaign by Charles Strasser getting no landing fees at almost all UK airfields when an aircraft diverts to an aifield/airport for safety reasons.
Charles did all this as AOPA
We never realise the benefits we get from organisations we are members of, until we realy need help.
Yes I am a member too
FB
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IMHO "crew cards" are worth very little.
The best "crew card" is a cheap pilot uniform with the maximum amount of gold on the shoulders. It gets you respect everywhere you go - especially in the "3rd world of aviation" (south of the Alps, basically
). The stories I hear regularly about stunts which pilots thus dressed have done are just amazing.
And you need only one duty-free ("commercial") fillup to pay for the cheap uniform.
Just don't turn up where anybody will recognise you
The best "crew card" is a cheap pilot uniform with the maximum amount of gold on the shoulders. It gets you respect everywhere you go - especially in the "3rd world of aviation" (south of the Alps, basically
). The stories I hear regularly about stunts which pilots thus dressed have done are just amazing. And you need only one duty-free ("commercial") fillup to pay for the cheap uniform.
Just don't turn up where anybody will recognise you
Life's too short for ironing
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terryp
As I said, that is how your post came across to me. I am very glad to hear that I misinterpreted your words, and you would like to support an organisation which stands up for aviation.
My reference to the Texas scenario is very relevent. It is not a dig at you, but just an effort to put across the point of how important these organisations are. Within minutes of the guy flying into the building, I heard people in the FBO where I was waiting (by chance I was in San Antonio, just "down the road" in Texas terms) referring to terrorism. Then, of course, the press, politicians and non-aviating public immediately jumped on the "OMG, its a terrorist, ground all GA aircraft" bandwagon all that day. So having organisations to defend and promote the GA side of aviation are invaluable.
And without members, they are nothing, so I guess it works both ways - what do the members get out of it, and what can members do to support the organisation so it has the ability to do what needs to be done.
All the best with your flying, and, hopefully, AOPA membership
As I said, that is how your post came across to me. I am very glad to hear that I misinterpreted your words, and you would like to support an organisation which stands up for aviation.
My reference to the Texas scenario is very relevent. It is not a dig at you, but just an effort to put across the point of how important these organisations are. Within minutes of the guy flying into the building, I heard people in the FBO where I was waiting (by chance I was in San Antonio, just "down the road" in Texas terms) referring to terrorism. Then, of course, the press, politicians and non-aviating public immediately jumped on the "OMG, its a terrorist, ground all GA aircraft" bandwagon all that day. So having organisations to defend and promote the GA side of aviation are invaluable.
And without members, they are nothing, so I guess it works both ways - what do the members get out of it, and what can members do to support the organisation so it has the ability to do what needs to be done.
All the best with your flying, and, hopefully, AOPA membership
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Im a member and of course i want to know what the plus points are.
I dont think id have the balls to pull out my membership card in a packed security area to queue jump but i wish i did.
The card looks like it cost 50p to make
I dont think id have the balls to pull out my membership card in a packed security area to queue jump but i wish i did.
The card looks like it cost 50p to make
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What is PPLIR membership worth for as a FAA instrument private pilot in EU ? Are you happy with the membership ?
I am a member of US AOPA also (being an FAA CPL/IR and flying an N-reg plane). For this I get the US AOPA magazine, which is probably of comparable value to the PPL/IR Europe magazine (you can see past issues of the latter on pplir.org).
Contrary to what has been suggested on occassions, U.S. AOPA do a significant amount for European pilots - albeit indirectly.
A little while ago I was at a GA get-together in Athens. In one presentation, in the audience I recognised certain well known UK personalities, some (who evidently like their expensed lunches) snoring away happily in the warm temperatures... Anyway, one character from a well known EU aviation agency (whom I have met elsewhere since, and he had not changed) made an arrogant speech which left people wondering what planet he was on - basically along the lines of "we know what is best" but it was mostly nonsense. But he is a seasoned bruiser who knows his stuff, which is that if you make a very aggressive case, few people will bother to argue with you.
Then Phil Boyer (then head of US AOPA) stood up and said a little bit... about how things work in America. How they have GPS approaches at airports without a tower, etc. The European agency bunch slinked off without a word, like cats, but very fast before anybody could ask them questions... Quite brilliant, I thought
So, don't underestimate the influence which a strong U.S. GA scene has over here. The Greek AOPA is certainly well clued up on how politics is woven into GA future.
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There is little else out there to represent the average GA pilot so I chose to support them. I think AOPA does an important job. It is easy to criticise what they do or don't do but I can't see anyone else standing up to be our voice. I, as an individual certainly would not be listened to.
They are also a comforting insurance should I ever need legal representation.
On the me me me subject AOPA save me literally hundreds of pounds a year on hotels and car rental. Ironically most of it is in the USA.
DO.
They are also a comforting insurance should I ever need legal representation.
On the me me me subject AOPA save me literally hundreds of pounds a year on hotels and car rental. Ironically most of it is in the USA.
DO.
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Ironically most of it is in the USA.
But I don't have a fancy Aircrew card - I have one from PPLIR for that
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It's another optional plastic card you can buy at the time of renewing your membership.
It costs significantly more that plain vanilla membership and lasts two years.
it does have your photo and your AOPA membership number and PPL number on it and it did get me back to the a/c from landside once at Norwich airport jumping ahead of two plane loads of holiday makers.............
Cusco
It costs significantly more that plain vanilla membership and lasts two years.
it does have your photo and your AOPA membership number and PPL number on it and it did get me back to the a/c from landside once at Norwich airport jumping ahead of two plane loads of holiday makers.............
Cusco
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The issues with the Website are recognised and are being addressed. I'd be delighted if any AOPA member is willing to assist with content - drop me a PM.
AOPA UK, does not just work for the interests of a particular segment of GA, like gliders, microlights, homebuilts or instrument fliers, it works across the board for the benefit of all GA pilots and aircraft owners. This is particularly important when it comes to Europe, where AOPA has a much more direct voice through IAOPA Europe. AOPA UK's CEO, Martin Robinson, is also Regional Vice President, Europe, of IAOPA. IAOPA has a seat at ICAO, the United Nations Organisation that regulates civil flying worldwide.
You can get a very good flavour of what goes on by reading back copies of GA Magazine here. Because Europe only wants to talk to organisations on a European level most of the UK's input from other representative bodies goes through a third party, such as Europe Air Sports. AOPA's input is far more direct.
Some of the things AOPA UK is responsible for include:-
One thing that AOPA UK is absolutely guilty of is not clearly articulating to the flying community at large the breadth and depth of what is done. That is being addressed by the new website, which should go live in the next three months.
I hope the above gives you a better idea.
Mike
Executive Committee Member, AOPA UK
AOPA UK, does not just work for the interests of a particular segment of GA, like gliders, microlights, homebuilts or instrument fliers, it works across the board for the benefit of all GA pilots and aircraft owners. This is particularly important when it comes to Europe, where AOPA has a much more direct voice through IAOPA Europe. AOPA UK's CEO, Martin Robinson, is also Regional Vice President, Europe, of IAOPA. IAOPA has a seat at ICAO, the United Nations Organisation that regulates civil flying worldwide.
You can get a very good flavour of what goes on by reading back copies of GA Magazine here. Because Europe only wants to talk to organisations on a European level most of the UK's input from other representative bodies goes through a third party, such as Europe Air Sports. AOPA's input is far more direct.
Some of the things AOPA UK is responsible for include:-
- The landing fees waiver for emergency diversions referred to above
- The AOPA Wings Awards which provide a structured path for continued development and help prevent pilots from dropping out.
- The mentoring scheme, masterminded by Steve Copeland and Timothy Nathan. Insurance issues have now been sorted out with the insurance industry and it will soon be possible for pilots to contact and fly with more experienced Mentors who will assist them as part of an AOPA UK scheme.
- The AOPA Aerobatics Certificate
- The AOPA Radio Navigation Certificate
- The AOPA Flying Companions Course
- The AOPA Ground Instructor Certificate
- Flying Instructor Refresher Seminars that meet CAA requirements
- Free initial legal advice for members who fall foul of the law.
- Assistance to aerodromes under threat from wind farms, planning issues etc.
- Medical advice for members.
- Member assistance in disputes with maintenance organisations
- AOPA is part of NPPLG, the organisation that manages the NPPL
- The IMC Rating, invented by AOPA and now being defended by them. The Chief Exec of the CAA has now stated that it is CAA policy to support the UK IMCR.
One thing that AOPA UK is absolutely guilty of is not clearly articulating to the flying community at large the breadth and depth of what is done. That is being addressed by the new website, which should go live in the next three months.
I hope the above gives you a better idea.
Mike
Executive Committee Member, AOPA UK