Jeppesen becomes AOPA corporate premier partner

AOPA and Jeppesen, the renowned aviation services company, announced a new corporate premier partnership May 5 that will support many of the programs that educate and engage AOPA members across the country. Jeppesen’s partnership will include support and participation in AOPA Foundation Air Safety Institute seminars, the 2014 regional AOPA Fly-Ins, and the association’s seventy-fifth anniversary Homecoming Fly-In at its Frederick, Md., headquarters

“Jeppesen has played a pioneering role in providing pilot services and that innovation continues today,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “Supporting pilots and aircraft owners is a fundamental mission of both organizations, and we’re thrilled to have Jeppesen as a partner in our efforts to grow and serve the pilot community.”

The AOPA Corporate Partnership program helps fund AOPA’s core mission: Protecting the freedom to fly. AOPA members will benefit from Jeppesen’s support through AOPA Foundation Air Safety Institute seminars, which qualify as the ground portion of the FAA Wings program.

“AOPA provides significant representation, advocacy, and leadership for the aviation community while at the same time working hard to create sustainable forums that educate and promote aviation to the public," said Jeppesen CEO Mark Van Tine. “We are very pleased to renew our long standing alliance with AOPA.”

Jeppesen, which this year is celebrating its eightieth anniversary, has played a legendary role in American aviation. It was established in 1934—just five years before AOPA—by Elrey Borge Jeppesen, a pilot who devised the first hand-drawn aeronautical charts, replete with landmarks and hazards. His charts were purchased by other pilots and airlines eventually adopted Jeppesen charts and instrument approach procedures for many airports.

Today the company still offers chart services, as well as training, a range of pilot services, and a variety of electronic products, including Mobile FliteDeck and FliteDeckVFR.

Under the new Jeppesen partnership, AOPA members who purchase a one-year subscription to JeppView with Mobile FliteDeck by June 30  will receive three additional months of service free. The service includes two or four installations so members can install JeppView on a PC and download Mobile FliteDeck at no extra cost. Plus, members will receive access to MyFlitePlan Online for all flight planning needs. To sign up, call Jeppesen Customer Service at 800/964-6081 and reference offer code “AOPAPP.”

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Young pilots: Apply for a free trip to France

Young pilots have a unique opportunity: Apply for a chance at a free, two-week trip to France to participate in the Tour Aérien Des Jeunes Pilotes. The tour was created to motivate the next generation of pilots, build camaraderie, and serve as a public outreach event promoting general aviation.

AOPA, the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations, and the Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA) are teaming up to send an American pilot to the race and will pay for the pilot’s roundtrip airfare to France, airplane rental for the race, fuel, lodging, and basic meals. The American pilot will fly with a flight instructor who speaks French and English.

Tour officials expect around 45 pilots between the ages of 18 and 24 to participate in the event. Each stop in the race will allow participants to meet with the public and share their passion for aviation.

To apply for this opportunity, send a 500-word essay describing your general aviation involvement, flying goals, and your French language experience to AOPA with “TAJP application” in the subject line. Also attach a photo or copy of your pilot certificate and passport (if these items/attachments are missing from the email, your application will not be considered).Pilots must be between the ages of 18 and 24 during the TAJP event and must have a valid passport at time of application and throughout travel dates. Pilots must hold at least a private pilot certificate, have a current flight review, and have basic knowledge of the French language.

The application deadline is Sunday, June 2, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The winner must be available to travel between July 16 and Aug. 5. The TAJP air rally will be held July 19 to Aug. 3. The winner will be contacted no later than June 13.

The FFA represents 41,000 of 45,000 private pilots in France, which they claim has the second-largest private pilot population in the world after the United States. The organization oversees a national network of 600 flying clubs, work it has been doing since the mid-1930s.

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