Business View Magazine | March 2018

21 I n 1939,when theAircraft Owners&PilotsAssociation (AOPA) was founded inWings Field,just outside of Philadelphia,by five intrepid aviators whowere concerned about their“free- dom to fly,”therewere onlyabout 12 or 13 thousand private airplanes in the U.S.and a little over 30,000 pilots.Today,with over 200,000 general aviation airplanes in the country,and about 300,000members,AOPAis theworld’s largest community of aviation enthusiasts,representingmore than two thirds of the country’s general aviation pilots-thosewho flynon-airline or non-military-based aircraft. Although it has increased in size over theyears,“it has stayed true to its original concept,and is just as relevant today,”says AOPAPresident &CEO,MarkBaker.Today,theAssociation,based in Frederick,Maryland,has about 250 employees.Itsmission in YOUR FREEDOM TO FLY AT A GLANCE THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION WHAT: A membership associa- tion of general aviation pilots WHERE: Frederick, Maryland WEBSITE: www.aopa.org