Orginizations of the Aviation Industry

After scrolling through hundreds of aviation organizations, it became clear to me that AOPA and ALPA are the two largest and most effective associations today. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is the largest general aviation association in the world. AOPA strives to promote safety through education and training while providing many services to their members such as legal representations, pilot protection services, and insurance for both pilot and airplane. AOPA also offers safety seminars, webinars and much more safety oriented services. I have utilized AOPA features many times in the past to assist in learning new concepts such as Instrument approaches, hazardous weather avoidance and many other subject areas. AOPA offers tons of online courses, safety videos, quizzes, safety publications and much more. All of the services are free for members to utilize whenever they please. (AOPA 2015) 

Air line Pilots Association International (ALPA) is the world's largest airline pilot organization, containing more than 52,000 pilots from 31 different airlines in the United States and Canada. ALPA mission is to provide "airline safety, security, and pilot assistance; representation; and advocacy". ALPA offers many benefits to it's members, most importantly contract negotiations, advocacy and support. ALPA was founded in 1931 and has been around since the beginning of commercial travel. Being one of the oldest pilot organizations ALPA has been instrumental in pushing for change in the aviation industry calling for safety and security while advocating for their pilots rights and safety. (ALPA 2015)

ALPA is affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Federation of Air line Pilot's Associations (IFALPA) and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). ALPA prides itself in working closely with all of these organization to promote safety and the interests of it's pilots. AOPA consists of 74 chapters or affiliates, with the United Arab Emirates becoming it's 70th affiliate (AOPA 2015). With the 28th AOPA world assembly approaching in 2016, AOPA will be working with the ICAIO to promote General Aviation (GA) and to discuss the growth of the GA in foreign countries such as China,India.

I believe that it's important to belong to organizations such as ALPA and AOPA because they offer many valuable tools and resources to their members at no extra costs. One of the greatest benefits offered by these two organization is the legal representation, and support. The best part of these organizations is that there are many membership options and the cost is relatively inexpensive. AOPA offers many membership choices ranging from $35 a year for student pilots up to $179 for their premier plus package. They also offer life time membership options for a one time payment of $999 or $1,999 for Premier Life membership. Other than resources and safety seminars, organizations such as AOPA and ALPA are great for networking and meeting aviation professionals. You also get the opportunity to build friendships, gain experience and knowledge while being involved in the industry (Organizations 2012). 

ALPA. (2015). ADVANCING AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY SINCE 1931. Retrieved November 1, 2015, from http://www.alpa.org/en/about-alpa/what-we-do 

About AOPA. (2015). Retrieved November 1, 2015, from http://www.aopa.org/About-AOPA

 
   Professional Organizations. (2012). Retrieved November 1, 2015, from     http://www.nctaviationcareers.com/content/professional-organizations-0