AOPA Board Advances Bylaws Update and CEO Search With Member Engagement Initiatives

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is progressing through a series of organizational improvements aiming to increase member engagement and update governance. During the Annual Member Meeting held in May, the Board of Trustees outlined efforts to enhance transparency and responsiveness, underscoring a renewed focus on advocacy for general aviation pilots. This includes concrete steps toward updating bylaws and intensifying communications with AOPA members.

A significant priority for the association is the modernization of its bylaws. Earlier in the year, AOPA released proposed changes for member review, receiving feedback from 154 members by the end of June. The Board conducted a thorough review of these responses, prompting revisions to the initial proposal. The updated and final draft of the bylaw changes will be shared with members later in July. The association has scheduled a Special Member Meeting for September 12 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern to vote on these changes.

To maximize participation, the Special Member Meeting will be held on a Saturday at AOPA’s National Aviation Community Center at Frederick Municipal Airport, Maryland. The meeting will be livestreamed to accommodate remote members. Furthermore, attendees present in person are invited to join a lunch reception following the vote, providing a valuable opportunity for in-person interaction among members, trustees, and staff.

One of the key proposed bylaw amendments is the introduction of electronic voting for trustee elections, a benefit many members requested. If approved in September, AOPA plans to implement a secure digital voting platform starting with the 2027 membership meeting. This initiative aims to simplify the electoral process and broaden member participation in leadership selection.

Alongside governance updates, AOPA continues the nationwide search for a new CEO. The association has engaged a prominent executive search firm tasked with identifying candidates who demonstrate effective leadership in complex organizations comparable in size and scope to AOPA. The Board is seeking a candidate who is an experienced pilot with a firm commitment to general aviation and who understands the diverse challenges pilots face.

As the search advances, selected candidates will participate in interviews conducted by the Board’s CEO Search Committee. AOPA has pledged to provide periodic updates on the search process while maintaining confidentiality where necessary. This ongoing effort forms part of a comprehensive approach to position AOPA for future success.

Beyond governance and executive leadership, AOPA has elevated efforts to engage members through various aviation events. Trustees and staff are hosting daily morning coffee gatherings each weekday during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., on the AOPA campus. Additional events, including a Pilot Town Hall and a member viewing party, are planned to encourage dialogue and community connection.

Member input continues to shape AOPA’s strategic planning. The Board has begun constructing a multiyear framework to chart priorities, objectives, and accountability measures guiding organizational growth, governance, advocacy, and financial health. They recognize the incoming CEO will influence the execution of this strategy but have initiated foundational work to ensure strong direction.

In response to member feedback on local airport advocacy, AOPA is developing the Airport Playbook, a resource providing strategies and tools aimed at protecting and advancing general aviation airports regionally. Complementing this, AOPA maintains its commitment to transparency by regularly publishing audited financials and IRS filings online, with plans to disclose more on investment philosophy and funding support dynamics.