AOPA Wings Award gets CAA recognition

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has become the first organisation to be endorsed under a new ‘good training provider’ scheme run by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). AOPA’s established Wings Award Scheme has been judged by the CAA as a worthy recipient of its Pilot Recognition for Operational Up-skilling and Development (PROUD) initiative.

The CAA introduced PROUD as a way of improving the general skill level of private pilots, particularly recently qualified PPLs and NPPLs. The scheme endorses training programmes provided by General Aviation associations and bodies if they meet certain criteria. AOPA’s Wings Award Scheme allows and encourages pilots to develop various skills level in a structured and logical way and is therefore a natural and welcome addition to the PROUD initiative.

Commenting on the PROUD endorsement, Martin Robinson, Chief Executive of AOPA UK, said: "This new innovative scheme from the CAA is an excellent way for industry to work in partnership with the Authority. Any organisation that focuses on improving pilot skills through education and training can now get an endorsement from the Authority. AOPA is ' PROUD' to be associated with this initiative."

The CAA said it was keen for other GA organisations to join the PROUD scheme