The nonprofit Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), founded in 1939, is the world's largest aviation membership organization. AOPA's 400,000-plus members comprise the majority of all pilots and aircraft owners in the United States. In addition to ensuring that general aviation remains safe, fun, and affordable, AOPA works with government and business leaders to protect GA's contribution to the U.S. economy and the vital role it plays in the daily lives of all citizens. Headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, the association is home to some 205 dedicated employees and has an annual budget of $60 million.

Three words summarize AOPA's mission: Advocacy, Education, and Information.

AOPA's advocacy efforts are focused in a dedicated Government and Technical Affairs staff and a group of nationwide volunteers. Regulation, certification, and regional affairs issues are supported by a headquarters staff, and AOPA Legislative Affairs, located just steps from the Capitol, houses AOPA advocates who have extensive Congressional staff experience and oversee AOPA's active Political Action Committee. AOPA's 13 regional representatives and more than 1,600 Airport Support Network volunteers provide the state and local "eyes and ears" for pilots and their airports across the country.

AOPA's advocacy staff and representatives are powerful, successful advocates for pilots from Capitol Hill to local governments. AOPA's advocacy efforts were critical to reopening U.S. airspace to private pilots following the 9/11 tragedy.

Pilot education is the centerpiece of AOPA's Air Safety Foundation (ASF). Since 1950, the nonprofit, tax-exempt organization has promoted safety and pilot proficiency in general aviation through quality training, education, research, analysis, and the dissemination of information. The Foundation's goal is to make flying easier and safer.

The Foundation brings live aviation safety programs to pilots in some 200 locations across the country every year and is the largest provider of flight instructor refresher clinics that allow flight instructors to revalidate their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) teaching credentials. The Air Safety Foundation (ASF) is the world-class leader in creating and delivering interactive online safety courses that are available free to any pilot, and all Air Safety Foundation online interactive courses are approved by the FAA for use in the FAA WINGS safety program, a pilot proficiency award program designed to enhance general aviation's safety record. The Foundation also creates and distributes Safety Advisors on a variety of topics critical to the well being of GA pilots and their passengers. Through its online searchable GA Accident Safety Database, the Air Safety Foundation tracks and reports on accident trends with monthly reports. The Foundation publishes the Nall Report, which contains the latest safety and accident information in the industry. Learn more about the AOPA Air Safety Foundation at (http://www.asf.org).

From the world's most widely read aviation magazine AOPA Pilot to AOPA Flight Training magazine to a 40,000-plus page Web site to a telephone hotline staffed by aviation professionals, AOPA is the most extensive informational resource for all pilots.

In addition to its popular magazines, AOPA produces two weekly ePilot electronic newsletters that can come in pilot or flight training editions and is received by more than 250,000 subscribing members each week. AOPA's Airport Directory, available in printed and electronic form, includes flying and travel information covering 7,300 public- and private-use airports and 28,000 restaurants and hotels nationwide. Other AOPA publications include safety guides, aviation subject reports, and an insurance newsletter.

AOPA Online offers more than 40,000 pages of content from breaking news to aviation weather. About 4 million pages are viewed each month. AOPA provides radio, television, and print media journalists with accurate information and often corrects misinformation when necessary.

When members need to speak with an expert, AOPA technical specialists are available to answer member pilot questions through a toll-free hotline that receives in excess of 1,200 calls per day.

Advocacy — Education — Information. AOPA has been the pilot's resource since 1939.