Yes.

Another organisation with some successes trying to protect/restore the rights of citizens is EFF.

Although I wish they would be more in tune with back country type issues. Like Park Service and BLM closing air strips etc.

I look at it as AOPA for General aviation and groups Like RAF on a national level and state agencies like Montana Pilots Asoc, IAA, UBCP etc. to support and expand our interst/goals in backcountry flying.
And they need all the support we can give them. It is a constant battle.
Gary

Yes.

It has less to do with the services they provide and more about supporting our interests through a lobbyist group. We'd be crushed if they weren't around keeping other interests money grubbing hands out of our pockets.

That said, I have used their legal services plan to access a lawyer regarding forming an airplane partnership. The lawyer helped out a lot and I saved money going through AOPA. I've also used them to answer some medical questions.

Approaching the FAA without an "aviation" lawyer is like performing surgery on yourself. I used my National Guard helicopter ambulance detachment commander, who was an attorney for the city of Albuquerque at the time. We thought we had done well with a 30 day suspension. The next time I saw the FAA they wanted to tear up my commercial. I hired an expensive, before legal services, aviation lawyer. We got it resolved without me losing my civilian wings forever. She knew the, 717th Commander and Albuquerque attorney. She asked what I had paid him. Fifty dollars. She said, "You got what you paid for." He was a good pilot and a good commander and a good city attorney. Don't hire your friend to represent you before the FAA. AOPA lawyers are aviation lawyers.

Yes worth every cent to me.

Just this might make it worth joining!
I know it goes with another thread but it will work here also.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/02/11/house-faa-pilots-overweight/5399775/

SE6601KF wrote:Thanks everyone for your comments.

You talked me into signing up again!

Although I wish they would be more in tune with back country type issues. Like Park Service and BLM closing air strips etc.

But that's another subject!

Actually, it's not another subject, and AOPA has indeed been active on many similar issues. I know of four or five back country issues that AOPA has weighed in on. Mostly, they encourage "specialists" in the particular field to take the lead on those types of issues, but AOPA backs up the leader with expertise, contacts and letters of support.

They can't be expected to take the lead on every single subject, but I know of a LOT of airports that have been saved by members who were supported heavily by AOPA. Usually, unless it's a true national level effort, they prefer to help the local advocates take the lead and support them, under the assumption that the locals generally know more about the issue and are also well known locally.

MTV

IMHO not for me. If your looking to a buy a jet maybe or latest super wiz bang radio package maybe.

Glad you decided to support them. I own a sporting goods store and people will buy a 10 life time supply of ammo but won't come up with money to support GOA or NRA to protect their rights. We are going to have to invest a bit in order to keep the freedoms we have.

jprax wrote:Glad you decided to support them. I own a sporting goods store and people will buy a 10 life time supply of ammo but won't come up with money to support GOA or NRA to protect their rights. We are going to have to invest a bit in order to keep the freedoms we have.

Funny how true that is. Some can't see it for more than a magazine.

I recently read in one of the AOPA email newsletters though that the AOPA political action committee can't use membership dues to fund the efforts on the recent house bills support, that the money must come from additional donation. What?

Zzz wrote:

jprax wrote:Glad you decided to support them. I own a sporting goods store and people will buy a 10 life time supply of ammo but won't come up with money to support GOA or NRA to protect their rights. We are going to have to invest a bit in order to keep the freedoms we have.

Funny how true that is. Some can't see it for more than a magazine.

I recently read in one of the AOPA email newsletters though that the AOPA political action committee can't use membership dues to fund the efforts on the recent house bills support, that the money must come from additional donation. What?

Campaign finance reform laws. Keeps corporations from influencing politics... Believe that?

45 bones to an organization trying to keep the freedom in flying? For less than an hour of fuel money? No brainer to me.

BTW my coffee fund contribution is still coming your way Z. It's just been crazy lately.

Invest in your passions...