AOPA Foundation Celebrates Helping 15,000 Rusty Pilots Return to Flying

AOPA Foundation Rusty Pilots is offered at in-person seminars, live webinars, and self-paced online courses. Each format offers updates to returning pilots on modern regulations and practices, including medical reform, FAA regulations, airspace changes, modern weather tools, preflight planning, and radio communications.

“Becoming a pilot is a lifelong dream for many of us, but—whether it’s family priorities, a busy career, lack of funds, medical concerns, or anything else—we all know life can get in the way of staying current and proficient,” said AOPA Foundation Rusty Pilots Senior Manager Donnie Mackay.

The AOPA Foundation Rusty Pilots initiative was started in 2014 and is free to AOPA members. Non-members can register for $89—the same price as an AOPA membership. All three tracks offer FAA WINGS credit and provide either logbook endorsements or completion certificates that pilots can share with their flight instructor.

“This important milestone illustrates how Rusty Pilots can help returning aviators understand that getting back in the air is, in many cases, easier than you might expect,” said Mackay. “Our presenters help reinforce existing knowledge and point them to modern resources to help pilots learn or relearn anything needed.”

“Rusty Pilots is one of a number of AOPA Foundation programs designed to help pilots—and those who dream of flying—learn and grow in aviation,” said AOPA Foundation Senior Vice President Elizabeth Tennyson. “There is something for everyone in the AOPA Foundation, and we are grateful to our generous donors who make all of these amazing programs possible.”

Tennyson added, “Our high school program has reached more than 130,000 students. We’ve helped form nearly 300 flying clubs, helping pilots find more economical ways to fly. We award more than $2 million in scholarships each year, and our flight training program helps give schools and instructors tools for success.”

Pilots interested in taking part in an in-person or virtual Rusty Pilots course can learn more here.