Aviation Organizations

Joining aviation organizations is beneficial because they give you the opportunity to meet others who share the same interests and goals. Also, creating these relationships with other professionals can potentially open doors into other careers. A couple of important ones are AOPA, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, ALPA, Air Line Pilots Association and WIA, Women in Aviation.

The mission of AOPA is to protect our freedom to fly by

advocating on behalf of our members,

educating pilots, nonpilots, and policy makers alike,

supporting activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation,

fighting to keep General Aviation accessible to all, and

securing sufficient resources to ensure our success. (AOPA, n.d.)

They offer many services such as information centers, flight planning tools, insurance/ financing options and even keep you in the loop of current events in the industry with their monthly magazine. They offer courses to promote safety and keep your skill levels up to par.

ALPA's mission is to
"promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation; to assist in collective bargaining activities on behalf of all pilots represented by the Association; to promote the health and welfare of the members of the Association before all governmental agencies; to be a strong, forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession, through all forms of media, and with the public at large; and to be the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the Association." (ALPA, n.d.)
The three critical services they offer are airline safety and security, representation and advocacy. They assist the NTSB in investigations and public hearings, they help maintain salary, benefits and working conditions and they also represent pilot views and promote legislation in favor of the union members.

WIA is a nonprofit organization that promotes the advancement of women in all aviation careers. In contradiction to their name, their help also extends to men in terms of offering scholarships and conferences and seminars. They also publish a monthly newsletter. (WIA, n.d.)

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2015, from http://www.aopa.org/

 

Women in Aviation, International Official Site. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2015, from  https://www.wai.org/

 

Air Line Pilots Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2015, from https://www.alpa.org