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To join, use this link to Join or renew online, or print out this Membership form, complete it and mail it with your payment.

    Are you an antique/classic aircraft owner, a pilot, a mechanic, or perhaps just interested in aviation history, especially the Golden Age?

    Then we’d like to invite you to join us, the Antique Airplane Association (AAA). We are the world’s oldest organization dedicated to antique and classic aircraft/aviation, though you may not have heard of us before. Fundamentally a By-the-Members, For-the-Members   style aviation organization, you may well ask just what the AAA is all about, and why should I become a member?

    Formed in 1953 by Robert L. Taylor, our motto then as now is “Keep the antiques flying”, and that remains our mission, to help the owners, restorers and pilots of antique & classic aircraft. While that hasn’t made us the biggest, most powerful, nor wealthiest aviation organization, it has provided our members with a clear and concise picture of what we do and where we are headed.

    We may not have the public face of other organizations, but the AAA is involved in matters that have benefited any and all those involved in preserving and flying antique/classic aircraft, be they a AAA member or not. From the successful effort in the mid-60’s to change regulations concerning registration markings on antique/classic aircraft, to participation on the National FAA Aging Aircraft Ad-Hoc Committee (that drafted AC 23-27, Parts and Materials Substitution for Vintage Aircraft), to the landmark US Supreme Court case; Taylor v Sturgell (concerning access to FAA approved data for antique/classic aircraft), plus many other efforts, the AAA has had an impact.

    Of course, one of the major reasons people are attracted to the AAA, is our annual AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in, that By-the-Members, For-the-Members private event, held here at Antique Airfield (IA27) in SE Iowa. At this year’s event (Sep. 2nd – 7th, 2020) we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Antique Airfield itself.

    The first aircraft to ever grace the grass here at IA27 was AAA Founder Robert L. Taylor’s 1939 Porterfield CP-50, on June 20th, 1970. At that time Antique Airfield consisted of the 1600 ft. E/W runway, and Hangar #1……that’s it!

    Our affiliate organization, the Air Power Museum Inc. (APM) had yet to buy the adjacent property, build the museum facilities, and move from the Ottumwa Airport. There was no N/S runway, campgrounds, shower houses, AAA Headquarters, Hangar #2, 24th Fighter Sqd. Mess Hall, Pilot’s Pub, or even much area for aircraft parking. It’s hard to imagine that 50 years have passed, but “THANKS” to the dedication of our staff, directors, the most loyal, and hard-working group of volunteers anywhere, plus the support of donors, and AAA members, Antique Airfield is known worldwide as the center and home of the antique/classic airplane movement,  and continues to grow and improve. As such the AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in will continue to reflect, yet reinforce, what the event is traditionally all about, and celebrate what makes it distinctly different from all other aviation events, all while looking forward and growing.

    But the AAA is not just about the AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in. So whether it’s our insurance program for the owners of antique & classic aircraft through Butler-Brown Insurance (both aircraft & life), our membership publication The Antique Airfield Runway, our new and improved  website www.AntiqueAirfieldIA27.com, our Facebook and Instagram pages at Antique Airfield, our monthly e-mail blasts to members with happenings here at Antique Airfield and across the country, our technical library and the network of knowledge for most make/models of antique & classic aircraft, or our long and continued advocacy on behalf of all owners of antique & classic aircraft, the AAA has over 65 years of experience & expertise; the most of any organization dedicated to aviation’s Golden Age.

    After all, by being around 65+ years, we have no need to make inflated claims about who we are and what we do. Our track record speaks for itself as we continue to diligently, daily, and quietly work to “Keep the antiques flying”.

    To join simply print out the Membership form, complete it, and mail it with your payment, or use this Link to join or renew online.

    We look forward to having you as a member and helping to “Keep the antiques flying”.

Brent Taylor,   
President AAA