ABOUT RIPA
The Rhode Island Pilots Association has more than 300 members in and around the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. As a member of RIPA, you can both participate with and benefit from us. We are here to promote the mutual benefit and welfare of our members as a part of the aviation community. We:

• Promote aviation safety
• Exchange information among our members as well as the general public concerning the aviation industry and general aviation
• Foster good will and camaraderie among our members
• Assist our members with issues relative to general aviation

RIPA BENEFITS
Safety Seminars
We are the principal sponsor of all FAA Safety Seminars in Rhode Island. Safety Seminars are designed to promote and foster aviation safety and to refresh pilots’ aeronautical knowledge and skills.

Events
RIPA hosts many events and activities throughout the year including breakfast / brunch fly-ins, the Fly RI series (where we picnic at each of the state’s airports to check their facilities), beach parties, camping trips, hangar parties, and the Annual Holiday Gala. Members join in the Fly to Brunch Bunch — where at the last minute a destination is announced. We also join up at other events such as the Annual International Seaplane Fly-In at Greenville, Maine. In addition, there is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Brunch on Block Island, an ice cream social, July 4th on Block Island, a Valentine’s Day Dinner, and more! All are welcome to participate in our events! Sometimes impromptu get-togethers are organized at the RIPA Yahoo Group, so be sure to check in!

Monthly Meetings
RIPA holds a dinner meeting on the second Tuesday of each month (with the exception of July and August) highlighted by noted guest speakers from the aviation community. Dinner is $20 per person, or $5 for just coffee and dessert. Cocktails are at 6:30, Dinner is at 7:00, and the Meeting/Presentation is at 8:00 PM. See the listings on our Meetings & Events page for more details.

The Plane Paper
As a member of RIPA, you will receive our monthly newsletter: The Plane Paper. It includes news of interest to our members, the aviation community, features such as solos and new ratings, notices of upcoming meetings, seminars and events, member stories, classifieds, and more!

Scholarships
RIPA awards two aviation scholarships each May to Rhode Island residents interested in pursuing pilot flight training or a scholarship committee-approved aviation related educational program. Applicants may obtain forms from us, from Rhode Island flight training schools, and from local school guidance counselors.

Legislative Issues
RIPA monitors the RI Legislature for aviation-related topics, and was instrumental in relieving the RI Sales Tax on aviation purchases. In past years, curfews, towers, and noise complaints have been addressed both locally and statewide.

The Windsock Program
Aviators know that wind direction and speed can vary over time and over the length of a runway, and have reason for concern. This concern resulted in the establishment of our Windsock Program. RIPA — with the good wishes of RIAC (Rhode Island Airport Corporation) and the FAA — furnishes windsocks for each end of all the state's runways. Members and/or airport managers monitor the condition of the windsocks and notify us when necessary. Windsocks, enthusiastically donated by the members, are changed as needed. Every RIPA-donated windsock says “RI PILOTS” on it. Donations for windsocks are always appreciated. Contact us to learn more, or if you’re interested in donating to this vital program.

Positive Connections
RIPA has developed good working relationships with major aviation entities such as RIAC (Rhode Island Airport Corporation — which controls state airports including TF Green State Airport at Providence), the FAA, Providence Tower, Hawthorne Aviation, and others. Our goal is to keep open the lines of communication between aviation users and the authorities.