The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has launched a new program that helps members cut the cost of aircraft ownership by 50 percent or more.

Using a secure database management system, the AOPA Aircraft Partnership Program helps pilots identify, match and connect with other pilots interested in reducing the cost of aircraft acquisition and ownership.

“As the world’s largest association for aircraft owners and pilots, AOPA is always looking for ways to reduce the cost of flying for our members,” said AOPA President and CEO Craig L. Fuller. “Pilots who connect with even a single person to co-own an aircraft have effectively reduced the cost of aircraft acquisition and ownership by 50 percent.”

Let’s face it. Unlike a car, an aircraft typically doesn’t get used every day. So it makes perfect fiscal sense to share the total cost of ownership with one, two or three other pilots, reducing each person’s cost of owning such a valuable asset.

The idea of sharing an aircraft certainly is not a new one. However, until AOPA Aircraft Partnership Program, the only real alternative pilots had was searching FBO bulletin boards. Today AOPA provides an Internet-based tool that allows pilots, flying clubs, fractional operators, and even businesses to identify and locate other pilots and businesses already interested in co-owning an aircraft.

AOPA Members who opt in to the program will have access to the secure online database that enables them to post a comprehensive personal profile outlining key factors for ownership compatibility – including type of aircraft desired, budget, nearby airports to base, flying experience, and more. The database already includes nearly 10,000 pilots who are interested in reducing the cost of flying through co-ownership.

AOPA Members can search for suitable co-owners using a wide variety of search criteria. Aircraft Partnership Program also provides secure and discreet communications between members to ensure privacy. The system will even notify AOPA Members via e-mail when a new profile is posted that meets personal compatibility requirements.

“By effectively lowering the cost of aircraft acquisition and total cost of ownership, we believe that AOPA Aircraft Partnership Program will help more pilots realize the dream of owning a new or pre-owned aircraft and will keep more aircraft owners in their aircraft longer,” Fuller concluded.