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TIN:
SCHEDULE O
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is atwww.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public
Inspection
Inspection
Name of the organization
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
Employer identification number
52-0636210
52-0636210
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Part III, Line 1 | AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION (AOPA), A NOT-FOR-PROFIT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION EFFECTIVELY SERVES THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF ITS MEMBERS AND ESTABLISHES, MAINTAINS, AND ARTICULATES POSITION OF LEADERSHIP TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMY, SAFETY, UTILITY AND POPULARITY OF FLIGHT IN GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT. AOPA PRESERVES THE FREEDOM TO FLY BY ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS; EDUCATING PILOTS, NONPILOTS, AND POLICY MAKERS ALIKE; SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES THAT ENSURE THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF GENERAL AVIATION; FIGHTING TO KEEP GENERAL AVIATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL; AND SECURING SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO ENSURE OUR SUCCESS. Part III, Line 2 During 2013, AOPA merged with AOPA Membership Publications Inc., a 100% owned taxable subsidiary. The merger increased AOPA's revenue and expense related to the Pilot and Flight Training magazines production and advertisement. Its revenue and expenses related to the Pilot and Flight Training magazines production and advertisement. |
| Part III, Line 4a | General aviation pilots throughout the United States rely on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to protect their freedom to fly. As the world's largest aviation member association, AOPA advocates for the interests of general aviation pilots at all levels of government, provides the information pilots need to get the most from their flying, and delivers the tools to help keep general aviation safe, fun, and affordable. AOPA also reaches beyond the flying community to help educate decision makers and the public about the value and utility of general aviation. AOPA's work benefits not only our members, but also the entire general aviation community by helping to ensure that GA remains a vibrant and viable form of transportation and recreation for generations to come. At the same time, AOPA provides its members with an extensive portfolio of benefits that can be loosely grouped into three areas: advocacy, education and events, and products and services. Advocacy In order to effectively manage the many issues that affect general aviation, AOPA's advocacy arm is divided into groups responsible for legislative affairs, regulatory affairs, operations and international affairs, and airports and state advocacy. Each of these groups works within its own area of expertise while coordinating across the entire advocacy team to support AOPA member interests. AOPA's legislative affairs staff is located in offices in Washington, D.C. This experienced team works to develop relationships with members of Congress in order to advance legislation that supports general aviation while fighting to prevent the imposition of mandates that make flying more costly, complicated, or restrictive. The group also works to draw attention to issues of importance to the general aviation community as a whole. AOPA's regulatory experts deliver the general aviation perspective and message federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), National Transportation Security Board (NTSB) and others whose decisions and policies affect aviation. Among the broad issues continuously addressed by this group are pilot and medical certification, aircraft certification, maintenance, operations, fuel, and international regulatory harmonization. AOPA's operations and international affairs team focuses on issues related to air traffic services and advocates for policies and procedures that ensure general aviation users enjoy access to airspace and airports, operational flexibility, and safety. This group also helps keep members informed about the ever-changing airspace environment and they also address security matters and advocate for reasonable and appropriate security measures that recognize the unique nature of general aviation. To help organize and distribute information about AOPA's advocacy efforts to members, decision makers, and others, AOPA routinely produces hundreds of online and print stories, video segments and press releases annually. In addition to AOPA's efforts on the federal level, the Association also has a network of 7 regional managers and over 2,500 Airport Support Network volunteers who help keep AOPA informed about the issues affecting general aviation in their communities. Working through our volunteers, regional managers, and headquarters-based staff, AOPA promotes, protects, and defends community airports; advocates to maintain sufficient state and local funding for GA airports and infrastructure; works to prevent excess state taxation on flying; and protects general aviation pilots from unnecessary or inappropriate state and local regulation. Throughout 2013, AOPA addressed more than 450 separate state legislative issues across the nation. Amongst them were a number of significant victories for our members, including adoption of a sales tax exemption for aircraft parts and maintenance in Pennsylvania, a similar exemption in Indiana where we also won a fuel tax decrease, and a 20 year extension in Maine of an exemption on the sale of aircraft, aircraft parts, and maintenance. We also prevented increases in aviation taxes in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. AOPA helped win adoption of legislation to provide greater safety and land use rules around airports in Montana and Nebraska, as well as amendments to state recreational use statutes in Wyoming, Oklahoma, Arkansas that extend liability protections to aviation uses. In addition to our work directly with lawmakers and policy makers, AOPA's advocacy team provides resources that can help pilots be their own advocates within their communities. These tools are designed to help pilots and aviation groups address common concerns and promote aviation in their areas. Available online, as DVDs, pamphlets, brochures, booklets, and fact sheets, these resources fall into six general categories: saving airports; talking to the media; facts, statistics, and glossaries; writing letters to defend GA; providing first-hand flight experiences; and introducing young people to flying. With more than two dozen such publications, many of which are updated annually, AOPA provides pilots with the background materials and practical guidance they need to be powerful advocates for GA. Pilots can also play an active role in securing their airports through AOPA's Airport Watch Program. Working in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), AOPA has developed a nationwide program that helps pilots to observe and report suspicious activity-reducing the need for expensive and impractical regulation. AOPA's Airport Watch Program is supported by a centralized, government-provided, toll-free hotline (1-866-GA-SECURE). The Airport Watch Program provides warning signs for airports, informational literature, and training videos to educate pilots and airport employees. Pilots who want to do even more to help support GA and their local airports can join the AOPA Airport Support Network. In 2013, the network reached over 2,500 volunteers in place at airports nationwide. Volunteers take a leadership role at their airports, helping to promote their airports, keep AOPA informed about potential threats, work with community leaders and neighbors, and encourage pilots to respond appropriately to concerns about the airport. AOPA is also working to ensure the future viability of general aviation by developing and supporting efforts to grow and support the pilot population. In 2013, AOPA focused on two major programs: the flying clubs initiative and the flight training initiative. Extensive research has shown that flying clubs are a valuable part of the aviation landscape. Pilots involved with the most effective clubs find aviation more affordable and more accessible, and flying clubs create the type of supportive community that keeps pilots active and engaged. At the end of 2013, 738 clubs had signed up and were searchable through AOPA's online Flying Club finder. A management tool for flying club leaders, The Club Connector, also had nearly 3,300 subscribers at the end of 2013. This electronic newsletter is a monthly publication. Ten webinars for flying club leaders were produced in 2013, with a total of 3,107 participants and viewers. Each webinar has been archived and is available for on-demand viewing for anyone interested through AOPA's website. We also continued the work that began several years ago with the Flight Training Student Retention Initiative. AOPA held their annual Flight Training and Pilot Community Summit on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 the day before AOPA Summit. More than 120 flight school owners and managers, flight instructors, flying club leaders and industry innovators participated in the half-day conference. Initial findings of AOPA's pilot retention research was shared with the group, as well as, plans to implement a nationwide "Rusty Pilots" program and campaign to get lapsed pilots back to actively flying. Break out groups and guided group discussions were also a key part of the conference to allow attendees to share best practices and learn from one another. AOPA also completed another series of the "Flight Training Excellence Poll and Awards" in 2013 where students that had undertaken flight training within the last 24 months were invited to complete the Flight Training Excellence Poll. The Poll was used to get a snapshot of the customer perspective of flight training today, both positive and negative experiences. The 2013 poll was open from April 10, 2103 to August 9, 2013. The poll was conducted using an online survey process based on AOPA's 2011 research into the optimal flight training experience. Each individual could nominate up to one flight school and one flight instructor per year. 3,375 individuals completed the poll in 2013. This resulted in reviews of 508 different flight schools and 956 different flight instructors. At the Flight Training and Pilot Community Summit, an awards ceremony was held to recognize awar |
| Part VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 | There are two trustees (Mr. Trimble and Mr. Crate) who have a business relationship outside of AOPA. These two trustees are partners in the same company. PART VI, SECTION A, LINES 6 AND 7A At the annual meeting of members, AOPA members in good standing are entitled to vote for the AOPA Board of Trustees. AOPA members are entitled to one vote. Each member entitled to vote may do so either in person or by written proxy. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINES 11A & 11B | IN CONJUNCTION WITH GRANT THORNTON LLP TAX SPECIALISTS, AOPA MANAGEMENT REVIEWS THE FORM 990 WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE PRIOR TO PRESENTING THE RETURN TO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR REVIEW. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION'S BOARD IS PROVIDED A WRITTEN "Code of Ethics, CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE AND DISCLOSURE FORM" ("FORM"). THE FORM REQUIRES PERSONS COVERED (OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES AND KEY EMPLOYEES) TO ANNUALLY DISCLOSE AND UPDATE THE FORM AND PROVIDE TO LEGAL COUNSEL INTERESTS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICT(S). LEGAL COUNSEL REVIEWS THE ANNUAL DISCLOSURES BY ALL COVERED PERSONS. DISCLOSURES ARE REGULARY MONITORED BY COUNSEL, ANY POTENTIALLY CONFLICTING OR OTHERWISE QUESTIONABLE RESPONSES ARE FLAGGED AND THE ETHICS POLICY IS ENFORCED. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINES 15a & 15b | THE COMPENSATION FOR THE PRESIDENT IS SET BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND CONTRACTUALLY CONFIRMED THROUGH AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE INCUMBENT. THE BASE SALARY FOR THIS POSITION MAY BE ADJUSTED BY THE BOARD FROM TIME TO TIME AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION. THE PRESIDENT IS ALSO CONSIDERED ANNUALLY BY THE BOARD FOR AN INCENTIVE BONUS WHICH IS A PERCENT OF BASE SALARY. THE ACTUAL BONUS PAID IS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESIDENT'S PERFORMANCE AND THAT OF THE ORGANIZATION AGAINST APPROPRIATE GOALS SET BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE PRESIDENT. PERIODIC INDEPENDENT REVIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION ARE CONDUCTED BY OUTSIDE COMPENSATION EXPERTS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPENSATION PAID IS REASONABLE BASED ON APPROPRIATE DATA AS TO COMPARABILITY OF COMPENSATION PAID BY SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS FOR POSITIONS OF SIMILAR SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY. THE COMPENSATION LEVELS AND SALARY RANGES FOR OFFICERS AND CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE ESTABLISHED BASED ON COMPETITIVE MARKET DATA OBTAINED THROUGH PERIODIC SALARY SURVEYS PERFORMED BY OUTSIDE COMPENSATION EXPERTS ENGAGED BY THE ORGANIZATION. THESE SURVEYS PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR ESTABLISHING REASONABLE COMPENSATION RATES AS COMPARED TO COMPENSATION PAID BY SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS FOR POSITIONS OF SIMILAR SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY. ALL POSITIONS ARE EVALUATED AND PLACED IN THE APPROPRIATE GRADES/SALARY RANGES. AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE'S SALARY, WITHIN THEIR ASSIGNED RANGE, VARIES DEPENDING PRIMARILY UPON EXPERIENCE AND PERFORMANCE. THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED A "PAY FOR PERFORMANCE" PHILOSOPHY ALLOWING MANAGERS TO AWARD MERIT INCREASES BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST PRE-ESTABLISHED GOALS. THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL MERIT INCREASE BUDGET IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BASED ON MARKET SURVEYS. OFFICERS AND CERTAIN EMPLOYEES ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S INCENTIVE PAY PROGRAM. TARGET INCENTIVE AMOUNTS, AS A PERCENTAGE OF BASE SALARY, ARE ESTABLISHED BASED ON THE PARTICIPANT'S POSITION. THE ACTUAL BONUS PAID IS PROPOSED BY THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THE PRESIDENT BASED ON THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE PARTICIPANT'S INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND THAT OF THE ORGANIZATION AGAINST PRE-ESTABLISHED GOALS. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEW AND MAKE A FINAL DETERMINATION AS TO THE ACTUAL BONUS AMOUNT PAID TO PARTICIPANTS. NONE OF THE PERSONS MENTIONED ABOVE PARTICIPATE IN THE DELIBERATION OF THEIR COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT. THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THESE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS ARE MAINTAINED IN CONTEMPORANEOUS DOCUMENTATION WITH OUR HUMAN RESOURCEs DEPARTMENT. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 16b | The organization does have a written management policy to evaluate all contracts & agreements, to ensure that all contract and joint venture arrangements are in accordance with federal, state and local laws and related regulations. In addition, all joint venture agreements are required to be reviewed by the organization's general counsel. PART VI, SECTION C, LINES 18 & 19 THE ORGANIZATION DOES MAKE AVAILABLE ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, FORM 990 RETURNS, AND FORM 1024 TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT MAKE AVAILABLE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY LAW. THE PUBLIC CAN RECEIVE COPIES BY CONTACTING THE ORGANIZATION'S HEADQUARTERS. COPIES OF THE RETURNS CAN BE OBTAINED AT WWW.AOPA.ORG/ABOUT-AOPA/GOVERNANCE AND WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG. |
| Part VII, Hours worked for the AOPA Foundation Inc. | Mark Baker, Craig Fuller, Kenneth Mead, Erica Saccoia and Timothy Fortune are/were full-time employees of Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), although they devote approximately ten hours per week to the related 501(c)(3) public charity organization: The AOPA Foundation, Inc. |
| Part XI, Reconciliation of Net Assets, Line 9 | Other changes in net assets of $10,247 represents transactions related to ASCO merger. |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING TOTAL FEES:980867 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:COMMISSIONS TOTAL FEES:2177572 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:AGENCY TEMPS TOTAL FEES:200408 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:MARKETING AGENCY TOTAL FEES:262645 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:ART & CREATIVE TOTAL FEES:205480 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:EDITORIAL SERVICES TOTAL FEES:260134 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:RECRUITEMENT TOTAL FEES:468741 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:VIDEO PRODUCTION TOTAL FEES:77636 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:PURCHASED SERVICES - OTHER TOTAL FEES:791220 |
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Cat. No. 51056K
Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Additional Data
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