The Illinois Pilots Association

Support General Aviation in Illinois

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Photos from the 2009 Annual Meeting Thank you for visiting the Illinois Pilot's Association. We are a statewide organization of both pilots and non-pilots who are committed to preserving and advancing general aviation in the state of Illinois. The IPA is an affiliate of the United States Pilot Association. Currently the IPA consists of five local chapters, as well as additional "at-large" members. Local Chapters hold regular monthly meetings, monitor aviation interests in the their local area, hold social activities, and sponsor safety seminars.

At the state level, IPA monitors aviation issues across Illinois, including pending legislation. A state IPA Board of Directors meeting is held every other month at various airports around the state. The IPA sponsors a scholarship for an Illinois student pursuing a degree in an aviation-related field. The state IPA also holds an annual convention, and from time to time sponsors safety seminars, and various social activities.

Membership is open to both pilots and non-pilots (if you do not hold a Pilot's Certificate you may join as an associate member.) If you would like to join, look for a chapter in your area. If there is no chapter in your area, we encourage you to consider starting one. The board of directors can assist you. For individuals where chapter affiliation is impossible or impractical, an "at-large" membership option is available.

- What's New at IPA -

IPA Scholarship Amount Increased

At its September meeting the IPA board voted to increase the amount of the scholarship to $750 for the 2010 award. For information about the IPA scholarship (including application information) visit the IPA scholarship web page.

USPA Membership Retained

At its August 2009 board meeting, the IPA chose to retain its status as a "state organization member" of the United States Pilots Association (USPA). At it's May 2009 meeting the USPA made some significant changes to its constitution. Two significant changes are: 1) USPA is changing from four quarterly meetings to a single annual meeting, and 2) all future meetings are to be held within 400 nm of Columbia, MO (which is the location USPA has determined to be the geographical center of its membership). The IPA board of directors wishes to thank all IPA members for their input about whether the costs of IPA's continued membership in the USPA justified the benefits. In the end the decision was that there are sufficient benefits.