AOPA Membership--is it worth it?
- Thread starter TheWife
- Start date
EatSleepFly
Well-Known Member
I didn't renew mine. Their mag. sucks and I never used their services. Plus they were always calling me for donations- big turn off. AOPA Flight Training is alright, but I get that for free being a CFI. I probably wouldn't pay for it though.
junkstream
Well-Known Member
It is worth it--without a doubt. You have access to a ton of stuff (flight planning, TFR info, approach plates, WX, aircraft valuation, airport directories, medical info, et al) on their website that the general public has no access to. I love their magazine--much, much better than Flying Magazine. AOPA has very active lobyists that defend GA in DC, state, and local governments
I have been a member for many years. I have also belonged to EAA, NAFI and other organizations. AOPA is the ONLY ONE I renew year after year.
Here are some of the perks:
-AOPA Pilot Magazine
-AOPA Flight Training Magazine
-Medical Info
-Airport Directory
-Approach Plates online
-FREE AD&D Insurance
-Aircraft valuation services
-Online flight planning, WX, TFR info
All for $39.00 a year. You cannot go wrong.
I have been a member for many years. I have also belonged to EAA, NAFI and other organizations. AOPA is the ONLY ONE I renew year after year.
Here are some of the perks:
-AOPA Pilot Magazine
-AOPA Flight Training Magazine
-Medical Info
-Airport Directory
-Approach Plates online
-FREE AD&D Insurance
-Aircraft valuation services
-Online flight planning, WX, TFR info
All for $39.00 a year. You cannot go wrong.
farwellbooth
Well-Known Member
I use the weather constantly that only members can access.
aloft
New Member
That's a toughie. I always say "yeah", right up until the renewal bill comes in the mail, which is right about now. If you look at it as just a magazine subscription, then yeah, it's a bit pricey--especially with that $10 subscription card for FLYING staring me in the face (didn't renew that subscription, FLYING pales in comparison to AOPA PILOT). But when you consider the extras that come with it--the aviation safety seminars, the online resources, and especially the new real-time flight planner software--it's not a bad deal, all told.
The magazine is the best out there as far as I'm concerned. It speaks to the kind of flying I'm doing now--and to the kind of flying I hope to be doing in the future, via its "turbine pilot" articles.
I learned the value of the new real-time flight planning software in the midst of all the TFR craziness that accompanied the SoCal fires; not only did we have active aerial firefighting ops underway, but we had Dubya and his traveling TFR pay us a visit as well. The flight planning software graphically depicts the complete TFR situation with up-to-the-minute currency.
Oh, and don't forget the free hat!
The magazine is the best out there as far as I'm concerned. It speaks to the kind of flying I'm doing now--and to the kind of flying I hope to be doing in the future, via its "turbine pilot" articles.
I learned the value of the new real-time flight planning software in the midst of all the TFR craziness that accompanied the SoCal fires; not only did we have active aerial firefighting ops underway, but we had Dubya and his traveling TFR pay us a visit as well. The flight planning software graphically depicts the complete TFR situation with up-to-the-minute currency.
Oh, and don't forget the free hat!
Flugmaschine
New Member
I joined because I like the online services and because AOPA is often the only thing standing in the way of aviation and a whole trainload of paranoid regulation. Ok, and for the cool hat, too.
B767Driver
New Member
Very much worth it. The magazine is great and don't forget the behind the scenes lobby protecting our freedom of flight priviliges.
TheWife
New Member
Great! Very interesting that some like and some don't, but I guess everything is that way. I think I will get this for Corbin for Valentine's Day. He still gets FLYING too, but I am guessing you can't have too many mags right? (Especially with the amount of toilet reading he does!
)
Cheechako
Well-Known Member
I'm a member and I've enrolled in the legal service plan. I've never really used their services, but as a ATP PIC without any ALPA legal backing, I think it's good insurance. It's a bit spendy ($99/year for ATP coverage), but I guess that one altitude bust or paperwork error could make it all worth it!
I like the magazine, it makes for good light reading at FL350. . . uh, I mean in the crew lounge. . .
I like the magazine, it makes for good light reading at FL350. . . uh, I mean in the crew lounge. . .
stultus
New Member
definitely
Who else is going to look after general avaition's interests in Washington? That is the foremost reason to be a member.
Also (I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet) you can then get to AOPA credit card which has a 5% FBO rebate. I saved $250 flying last year (the max you can get). So lets see, 250 - 39 = a good deal.
Plus you get the green hat. Which is AWESOME!!!! I wear mine everywhere.
Who else is going to look after general avaition's interests in Washington? That is the foremost reason to be a member.
Also (I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet) you can then get to AOPA credit card which has a 5% FBO rebate. I saved $250 flying last year (the max you can get). So lets see, 250 - 39 = a good deal.
Plus you get the green hat. Which is AWESOME!!!! I wear mine everywhere.
davetheflyer
New Member
I'm still a member, although I had to think hard about renewing since I've only flown GA once in the past year.
I like the magazine, the airport directory can be helpful, and I've called with questions many times over the years. The service that I use most is the website, especially the online reference library.
I like the magazine, the airport directory can be helpful, and I've called with questions many times over the years. The service that I use most is the website, especially the online reference library.
