AOPA PARTNERS WITH SHARE AVIATION TO CONNECT AVIATORS WORLDWIDE

Feb. 19, 2015

          Contact: Steve Hedges
                        301-695-2159
                        [email protected]

FREDERICK - The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has partnered with Share Aviation, a social network launched by four pilots that lets aviators, aircraft owners, and aviation enthusiasts share their experiences.

"Share Aviation started from a simple phone call between two friends,” said Jason Stewart, one of the Share Aviation founders. “The idea that sparked it was to provide a central hub where aviators of all kinds could connect and share their common passion. The 'fun' side of aviation is what keeps pilots in the air and spreads the magic of flight to a new generation."

In its first year, users have signed up from all 50 U.S. states and 27 countries; they’ve shared more than 3,000 aviation-related videos and 14,000 photos. On Feb. 1, the group launched a new website and Android mobile applications. Since then, Share Aviation said about 100 new users are joining each day.

"To date, we've engaged thousands of aviation enthusiasts in a way that is relevant to how people communicate in today's world,” Stewart said. “The experience of flight is so much more rewarding when it is shared, and the social media universe is a perfect place to do that."

“AOPA has partnered with Share Aviation because the two groups have common goals - to share the love of flight and to build a stronger and more connected aviation community,” said Jiri Marousek, AOPA senior vice president of marketing.  “This partnership will allow AOPA to engage directly with a fast-growing online community that is bringing the fun and excitement of aviation to current and future pilots through the power of social media.”

AOPA will share training videos from the Air Safety Institute, aviation news, and tools to help pilots start and keep flying.

"From the beginning, our mission has been to connect aviators worldwide,” Stewart reiterated, “and our new partnership with AOPA will allow us to do exactly that... better than ever!"

Anyone can join Share Aviation by creating a free account on its website. Android and iOS mobile applications are also available for free download. 

ABOUT AOPA

Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly for thousands of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts. AOPA is the world’s largest aviation member association, with representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., Wichita, Kans., and seven regions across the United States. AOPA provides member services that range from advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, flight planning products, safety programs and award-winning media. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org. 

- AOPA -

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