AOPA

With such a large and growing aviation community, we encourage all of our new followers (and our long-time followers) to check out our social media community guidelines. https://bit.ly/3vLXOBE

Black Friday Is Cleared for Takeoff! Score a pair of FREE AOPA Socks with your purchase of $49.95 or more! Use Promo Code: FREEAOPASOCKS at checkout. ⏳ Don’t miss out—offer ends 12/1/2024. AOPA members only! Log in with your member ID and last name to unlock your free shipping and custom embroidery 🛒 https://lnkd.in/edxYKn7S

Each year we choose a theme for our annual gift guide, then we review products we think pilots and aviation enthusiasts would need or appreciate. This year we kept it simple—let’s find products under $100. https://bit.ly/4i9rTln #flywithaopa #avgeek #gifts

We wish a very happy and safe Thanksgiving to all! We are thankful for you! ✈️ https://lnkd.in/ebrauH-W #flywithaopa #avgeek #pilot #Thanksgiving

Pilots are often taught that personal minimums should be treated like they are carved in stone and should never be changed in flight - but that is not always the case. Read more here: https://bit.ly/494PRu3

A letter Mark Baker sent to businesses negatively impacted by private aircraft not flying to The Bahamas as a result of egregious custom fees imposed by the Bahamian government: November 22, 2024 Dear Friend, I write today to bring to your attention a critical issue in hopes that, together, we can help avoid a tourism catastrophe in The Bahamas. As you know, AOPA has long promoted The Bahamas as a destination, including through our Bahamas Pilot Guide. AOPA has also worked closely with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism over the years to promote general aviation flying to your country as private pilots and their guests spend significant resources on hotels, dining, and other activities. AOPA also stepped up recently and supported travel to The Bahamas when the United States government issued a travel advisory. On July 1st, much to our surprise, the Bahamian government imposed egregious customs fees on private pilots. These pilots primarily fly small aircraft and often bring family and friends to visit the islands. They are private aircraft operators and do not fly for hire but are now being forced to pay more in fees than a major commercial airline transporting hundreds of people. Today, under the new Bahamas Customs fee structure, a private pilot flying in a small airplane to the Bahamas as a tourist now pays as much if not more than a Boeing 737 operated by a major commercial airline. These fees on private aircraft are simply unfair, unreasonable, and unsustainable. Many pilots have already stopped flying to The Bahamas and I suspect many will not return as long as this fee structure remains in place. I have heard private pilots are discussing boycotting the Bahamas until this fee issue is resolved. Unlike private flying, major airlines do not transport people to the Out Islands. Moreover, a yacht travels with its own beds, its own food and alcohol, its own crew, its own jet skis, its own fishing and diving gear, and its own entertainment—but every time a private aircraft touches down on your island, those luxuries are sought out by private pilots and their guests. These pilots bring valuable business to your islands and help stimulate your local economy. We hope Bahamian officials will realize this and reconsider how they are negatively impacting tourism. On Sept 5, I requested a meeting in The Bahamas with Prime Minister Davis to discuss the new customs fees and how they are deterring pilots from visiting the Islands. Unfortunately, I have not received a response to that request. AOPA has also proposed a much fairer fee structure that would be advantageous to all. Again, Bahamian government officials have not responded. We remain hopeful Prime Minister Davis will revisit the AOPA fee proposal for private pilots so, together, we can continue to promote general aviation travel and preserve the long-standing relationship that AOPA and the government of The Bahamas has cultivated for years.

Aircraft Spruce is pleased to offer Free Shipping for AOPA members today and tomorrow, November 21-22! Click the link & get the code: https://bit.ly/3CzBxO1

FELLOW PILOTS: Want to avoid surprises during your AME visit? AOPA has partnered with Wingman Med to provide a MedXPress simulator, easily searchable AME database with review ratings, and discount on specialized medical services! AOPA members get free access to the MedXPress Simulator with a results review by AOPA's Medical Specialists (a $50 value!), plus a $300 discount on services provided by Wingman Med when referred by AOPA. https://lnkd.in/e2P-uyya #aopa #wingmanmed #aviationsafety #aviationmedicine #pilots #aerospacemedicine #flying #aeromedical

Ready to finance your aircraft? Whether it’s individual, partnership, or LLC ownership, we’ve got you covered! Each structure has different requirements, so let’s find the best option for you. Reach out and let's make your ownership dream a reality! https://bit.ly/4dZXym8 #flywithaopa #aviation #avgeek #aopa #flying #finance

I’m sure you are familiar with personal minimums—those operational limits that go above and beyond regulatory minimums. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4hHY3UZ #FlywithAOPA #ASI #Safety #TrainingTuesday #Aviation #AvGeek