Business View Magazine | March 2018

22 protecting the freedom to flystill includes: advocating with federal and state governments and agencies on behalf of itsmembers; educating pilots,non-pilots,and policymakers,alike; supportingactivities that ensure the long-termhealth of general aviation; and fighting to keep general aviation accessible to all. Membership inAOPAhasmanybenefits.One is its Pilot Information Center,where people can get expert information froma group of skilled pilots,medical certification specialists,and flight instructors,on such topics as: international flight guidance,pilot and avi- ation-related topics,aircraft ownership and insurance, and legal andmedical issues.Everyyear,the specialists at the Pilot Information Center respond tomore than 200,000member questions via phone calls,emails, online chat,and letters. Another benefit isAOPA’s Pilot Protection Services, which is comprised of a Legal Services Plan and Medical Certification Services.“We offer legal services in case somebodyhas a legal issue,”says Baker.“We have about 4,500 calls coming in,everyyear,related to Pilot Protection Services.Someone going astray and violating some airspace is a typical one.Theycan call here and get referred to an attorneywhowill give themseveral hours of consultation that will help them navigate through that process.”The Legal Services Plan also advises on aircraft sales and titlematters,as well as aircraft accidents.Medical Certification Services includes advice about medical exams,and reviews of members’FAA(Federal AviationAdministration) med- ical applications and documents before submission to help avoid problems and delays. Government advocacy,according to Baker,is also “a very significant part of member value; it’s the best representation on general aviation advocacy issues as they relate to the state and federal levels,”he declares. THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION