AOPA, SiriusXM enter strategic relationship

Pilots who purchase a qualifying SiriusXM aviation receiver will get a complimentary one-year AOPA membership valued up to $69; for existing members, a $69 credit toward their next membership renewal will be applied. The make and model numbers of the approved receivers are the Garmin GDL™ 51/52, GDL™ 51R/52R, GXM 42, Garmin G3X Touch, GDU 455/465, GDL69/69a SXM, and SiriusXM SXAR1.

To redeem the free one-year membership, pilots need to complete and postmark the official free AOPA membership form by May 31. Include the date of purchase, retailer, receipt number, and ESN/Radio ID# of the eligible SiriusXM aviation receiver on the form, as well as a valid email address. Enclose a copy of the receiver hardware purchase receipt with the membership form to AOPA, Attn: SiriusXM Offer Processing, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701. Please allow up to 45 days for processing.

“AOPA is thrilled to be collaborating with SiriusXM,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Marketing Jiri Marousek. “We believe their detailed in-flight weather information will enhance pilot safety and situational awareness whether the pilot is on the ramp pre-flight, at 1,500 feet, or FL450.”

SiriusXM offers pilots and their passengers superior aviation weather and information services. Delivered to the cockpit by satellite, SiriusXM weather has no altitude or line-of-sight restrictions and is available throughout the continental United States as well as many parts of Canada. SiriusXM Aviation weather and audio is available on select Garmin receivers and displays, on the Garmin Pilot app, and on the ForeFlight app. Pilots subscribing to SiriusXM Aviation services also can add SiriusXM’s audio entertainment channels at a discounted rate, giving them access to commercial-free music, plus live sports, news, talk, comedy, and more while flying.

“We are very pleased to work with AOPA—an organization that is clearly respected by pilots nationwide—and we support their important efforts to help pilots fly safely and make informed decisions,” said Dave Wasby, SiriusXM vice president of aviation, marine, and music for business. “This agreement will help more pilots learn about the value of our aviation services, which provide the best graphical weather information available from wheels up to wheels down.”

Pilots will benefit from SiriusXM’s support of AOPA Air Safety Institute seminars, which qualify as the ground portion of the FAA Wings program. The Air Safety Institute conducts about 200 free live safety seminars across the country each year, which cover important and relevant safety topics such as aeronautical decision making, GPS operations, fuel management, IFR operations, takeoffs and landings, navigation charts, and weather. Pilots who attend these presentations are taught by an experienced group of instructors how to avoid the most common types of accidents.

SiriusXM also will showcase its satellite weather service in the aircraft flown by AOPA’s You Can Fly ambassadors. You Can Fly ambassadors visit airports nationwide to meet with flight schools and flying clubs and host educational seminars, bringing AOPA’s resources directly to the pilot community with the aim of making flying more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable.