Professional Organizations

Professional Organizations

There exist thousands of professional organizations for every industry, and aviation is no exception.  These many organizations are not only specific to aviation, but also to a particular business, individual, or enthusiast group.  Being involved with organizations that are tailored to any individual’s aviation aspirations is essential to maintaining industry awareness, and also provides ample benefits along the way.  Many professional business organizations provide companies assistance in regulatory compliance to maintain safety in the workplace and industry standards.  In addition, they supply guidance to growing businesses and represent them professionally.  An organization such as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is a pilot union representing roughly 50,000 pilots across 32 airlines.  They promote and protect airline pilots’ interests by providing a single organized voice to Congress and Federal Agencies.  Another organization well known in the aviation community, although less serious on the business end, is the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) which caters to the individual aviation enthusiast and supports general aviation (GA) communities with flying clubs introduces newcomers to flying.  Being a part of any professional organization related to your interests is a great way to stay connected and abreast of new information.  An especially important part is making new contacts: in the small world of aviation making good impressions is paramount.  Just about any professional aviation organization will help put you in touch with the right people.  The EAA can be considered as an enormous flying club where pilots keep in touch and share industry news.  The organization advocates for community involvement in aviation and sharing amongst aircraft owners, builders, and pilots. 

The associations that professionals choose to belong to are decided in part by the career path of the individual, and also by the passions the individual harbors for their profession.  If you are an airline pilot, joining ALPA may be an intelligent career choice, rather than out of passion for airline pilots’ duty hours and seniority lists.  Belonging to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is an organization that contributes to both a pilot’s career and love of aviation.  Boasting approximately 400,000 members, AOPA has substantial influence in the GA world, supporting airport and pilot growth, and protect the image of aviation in the media.  The association also includes the Air Safety Institute, online interactive courses to improve safety and pilot knowledge.  Every pilot trained in America began in the general aviation community flying a small single-engine aircraft, regardless of progress in one’s career path AOPA is appropriate to all aviation enthusiasts.

Taking things a step further than AOPA is the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), an organization that supports the business side of GA.  For all the fields of employment that is generated from light aircraft, this association supports the fixed base operators (FBO), charters, flight training, and airport services.  In addition, the maintenance and repair stations that keep the industry flying receive support from NATA.  The primary focus of the organization is supporting these general aviation businesses while recognizing the crucial role they play within the community.  The media will always sensationalize an aircraft accident, and NATA works diligently to counter these events casting a negative perspective on aviation.

References

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (2013). Mission and History of AOPA. Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/

Airline Line Pilots Association International (2013). History of ALPA. Retrieved from http://www.alpa.org/

Experimental Aircraft Association (2013). The History of EAA. Retrieved from http://www.eaa.org/

National Air Transportation Association (2013). About NATA. Retrieved from http://www.nata.aero/