AOPA’s Rusty Pilots Program: A Beacon for 15,000 Returning Aviators
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has reached a landmark milestone with its acclaimed Rusty Pilots program. This initiative has now successfully guided 15,000 inactive pilots back to the skies since its inception in 2014, as announced by the organization this week.
The Rusty Pilots program is meticulously designed for certificated pilots who have been inactive for a while and are seeking a clear, low-barrier pathway back to currency. The program is delivered through:
- In-person seminars
- Live webinars
- Self-paced online courses
These resources cover a wide range of topics including FAA regulation updates, airspace changes, medical reform, weather tools, preflight planning, and radio procedures.
One of the program’s success stories is David Wing, a retired NASA employee who had been away from flying for 17 years. After attending a Rusty Pilots seminar at his home airport in Williamsburg, Virginia, and logging just 10 hours with a certified flight instructor (CFI), he fully renewed his instrument currency. In a surprising turn of events, he purchased a 2017 Cirrus SR22T G6 just two months later.
“Before I knew it, I was a pilot again,” Wing said.
Participants of the program can earn FAA WINGS credit and receive guidance on regaining currency. The program is free for AOPA members and available to non-members for $89. AOPA also reports that more than 130,000 students have been reached through its high school aviation programs, and nearly 300 flying clubs have been established nationwide to lower the cost of flight training.
Source: AOPA – Rusty Pilots Initiative Passes Milestone