I have been a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association ever since I was 6 years old. I have also been a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for over 15 years, ever since I became a commercial pilot. I plan on continuing with these organizations because I believe that they are a great way to bring people into the world of aviation.
The EAA's main objective is to promote general aviation, as well as bring new people into the world of aviation. (EAA, n.d.) If you were to go to an airport and started talking to someone about being interested in being involved in aviation, there is a good chance that you would be talking to an EAA member. They have nearly 1000 chapters and over 180,000 members, all focused on promoting the "Spirit of Flight" (EAA, n.d.)
They do this by hosting Young Eagles events, that allow children to get some free time in a general aviation airplane, they also have local fly ins that bring people to airports and of course they host Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin every year where thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts gather to see the latest and greatest as well as classic and antique aircraft. The EAA is also very involved in advocacy, especially for older and recreational pilots.
The AOPA is another organization that's main goal is the promotion of General Aviation. They focus mainly on advocacy and education for pilots as well as lobbying congress and even state and local governments to keep General Aviation accessible to all. (AOPA, n.d.) AOPA has over 400,000 members and uses that clout to help fight back against laws and regulations that are aimed at hurting GA or giving businesses like the airlines preferential treatment. The AOPA has been on the frontlines fighting against user-fees, and ATC privatization as well as all of the knee-jerk security regulations that came out after 9-11
The EAA and the AOPA are the two biggest advocates for General Aviation. Both take great steps in protecting and encouraging new and recreational pilots, they just do it in slightly different ways. The EAA is focused mainly on bringing new pilots into the world, they were a big proponent behind the Sport Pilot rule, which was supposed to bring the cost of flying way down. (It worked...kinda) but they also do the grassroots work of having local chapters and promoting aviation on the ground. Where the AOPA takes more of a legal protection aspect more seriously, they are the ones that are talking to congressmen and women, and pushing for a fair shake in government regulations and laws, as well as helping to protect airports from developers.
The reason that it is important to not only join but to be active in these organizations is the same reason that it is important that Labor unions are important. Without them, the people with the most money, will have the most influence and it is only through the collective weight of these organizations that the everyday pilots voice can be heard.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. (n.d.). mission and history of AOPA - AOPA. Retrieved April 3, 2016, from http://www.aopa.org/About-AOPA/Governance/Mission-and-History-of-AOPA
Experimental Aircraft Association. (n.d.). who we are | EAA. Retrieved April 3, 2016, from https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/about-eaa/who-we-are
I also plan on joining the EAA. I think more emphasis is needed on inspiring young aviators and expanding general aviation. Without general aviation, we wouldn't have an aviation industry in this country. Continuing to educate the experienced and younger generations is also good for promoting safety.
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