The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association updated their app on April 1^st and added an interesting feature to it – now you can create a “Pilot Passport” right in the AOPA app. What does that mean and how does it work? We’re here to help you find out!

First of all, the new update adds such features as checking in at airports and events, searching for places to fly, earning points and badges for achievements inside the app, and sharing your success via AOPA Hangar and social media.

“Now you can check in at an airport or event right from your mobile device like you would on social media and earn points and badges for bragging rights and prizes,” said Senior Vice President of Marketing, Jiri Marousek.

AOPA’s Pilot Passport seems like something between a regular social media platform, like Instagram and achievements that are unlocked when playing video games on the XBOX or PlayStation. One thing we know for sure – it can definitely make your pilot life more interesting from a social point of view.

So, how does it all work and how can you set it up?

It’s quite simple, just follow these steps:

1. Download the app. It’s available for iOS and Android. If you already have AOPA’s app installed, just update it. For the app to work properly make sure that your geolocation services are on!
2. Search for places to fly. Search airports and other places you can visit by state and city. View closest airports to ongoing aviation events and search for ones that you haven’t visited yet.
3. Check in. You already know what to do here. Keep track of all the airports that you visit and share them with your friends. How many airports have you landed at? Now it’s easy to let everyone now. To check in at an airport you have to be within a 3-mile radius. When checking in, you can add a photo, rate the airport, and share it all on social media.
4. Earn points to beat your friends! Thinking where to fly next? Try filtering the search results in the app by badges you want to earn. Then come up with a strategy to get as many point as possible along the way. You can earn badges for landing on different types of airports like heliports, paved runways, seaplane bases, and grass strips.

 “We encourage you to get out there,” Marousek said, “have fun exploring new airports and events with our Pilot Passport!”. Afterall, the app does sound fun. It adds an element of gamification to the flying experience. It will definitely be fun to compete with friends and see who has more points and badges. What do you think about the app? Will you use it? Let us know!

Oh, yes, we forgot about the most important step of the instructions!

1. Get an aircraft!

And we just might have the one just for you. Browse our inventory, buy and fly!