Aviation Organizations

Despite AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association) being the two most important aviation organizations for an aviation professional to belong to, I’m going to talk about a few less-recognized aviation organizations that are still worthwhile.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an organization that anyone with an interest in aviation should belong to. I am a Lifetime Member of the EAA, and the organization’s purpose goes well beyond experimental aircraft. The EAA has existed since 1953 and is comprised of almost 200,000 members. EAA is self-described as “the Spirit of Aviation”. As described on the EAA website, the EAA serves the aviation community by:

Inspiring new participants in aviation

·       Inviting the public to experience flight

·       Providing a compelling view of possibilities

·       Nurturing interest in aviation

·       Supporting clear pathways to participation

Enriching the participation experience

·       Protecting rights and the freedom to fly

·       Encouraging affordable flying in a local environment

·       Cultivating and providing knowledge, information, and resources

·       Embracing diverse interests, camaraderie, and fun 

·       Supporting and promoting aviation events and activities

(EAA, 2018)

Aviation interests served by the EAA include learning to fly, pilot resources, homebuilts, ultralights, light sport aircraft, warbirds, vintage aircraft, aerobatics, and more. The EAA has chapters at airports all around the country and hosts VMC and IMC clubs, as well as the world’s largest aviation event in Oshkosh. The EAA provides advocacy for the freedom to fly and offers resources to keep the entire general aviation community safe.

While the EAA doesn’t specifically cater to aviation professionals, the EAA has an immense member base, and there are endless opportunities to meet other aviators, both professional and recreational. The EAA also has many job opportunities, including, one of particular interest, part-time positions as a Ford Tri-Motor pilot. Becoming an EAA member is a great way to network and create lifelong friendships.

Another organization is the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The NBAA is an organization founded on the use of general aviation aircraft for business purposes. Another way of describing the NBAA’s focus is corporate aviation under Part 91. The NBAA website states,

Throughout its history, NBAA has worked to support policies that foster business aviation in the United States and around the world. Among the policy priorities for the Association and the industry it represents are modernization of the nation’s aviation system, building upon the already outstanding safety record for business aviation and preserving secure access to airports and airspace (NBAA, 2018).

The NBAA is an organization for anyone with an interest in corporate or business aviation. The organization provides networking opportunities, career resources, and advocacy for issues that are important to the industry. The NBAA can help its members land jobs in a multitude of business organizations that use aviation to excel. Corporate flight departments can be lucrative opportunities, they offer flying opportunities, as well as the opportunity to work within the company in other capacities.

Belonging to any organization is important to connect with others. Aviation is not a huge industry, but you won’t believe how much is missed when the only person you interact with is the pilot in the seat next to you. By reaching out and contributing to the aviation community, an individual can feel the sense of belonging within a larger group. Who you know means a lot in aviation. Relationships open doors for careers and friendships and make the profession more enjoyable overall. Take a little time to network on a daily basis. You don’t know who somebody else knows.

Sources:

Experimental Aircraft Association. (2018). Who we are. EAA. Retrieved from https://www.eaa

.org/en/eaa/about-eaa/who-we-are

National Business Aviation Administration. (2018) Legislative & regulatory issues. NBAA.

Retrieved from https://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/issues/