Master Aviator Program

The Application for the 2026 Award Year Will Be Open
July 1 through August 15, 2026

Precision. Proficiency. Professionalism.

The PMOPA Master Aviator Program isn’t just an award—it’s an annual commitment. It honors pilots who refuse to settle for "good enough," choosing instead to pursue higher levels of safety, continuous learning, and technical mastery within the M-Class community.

By rising to this challenge, you don’t just earn a title; you contribute to a culture of excellence that protects our pilots, our passengers, and the reputation of the Piper M-Class fleet.

Program Timeline

  • Program Year: July 1 – June 30. Any training or proficiency activities that are required to be completed during the program year must be completed within these dates.
  • Application Window: July 1 – August 15
  • Recognition: Honorees are celebrated annually at the PMOPA Convention & Fly-in.

Becoming a PMOPA Master Aviator

1. Basic Eligibility

To qualify for recognition, applicants must meet the following baseline standards:

  • A private or commercial pilot certificate with Instrument Rating or ATP; and
  • 500+ hours total time; and
  • Completed:
  • Piper M-Class initial or recurrent training in prior 12 months; and
    • A Mid-Year training activity; and
    • 12+ landings in the program year; and
    • 6+ instrument approaches (actual IMC or simulated IMC) in the program year; and
    • 1+ go-around or missed approach (actual or practiced) in the program year; and
  • No accidents or incidents within the last three years (exceptions made for Broken Wings Award recipients).

2. Master Aviator Program Levels

There are four levels in the Master Aviator Program; each has requirements that must be met to achieve this recognition annually:

   

3. The Point System: Pathway to Mastery

Earn points by diversifying your skills and engaging with the PMOPA safety ecosystem.

Points are accumulated by gaining proficiency and by participating in training and education opportunities. PMOPA's Safety Committee encourages pilots to pursue these opportunities and will recognize points earned for participation:

Level of Pilot Certificate Held:

  • Private Pilot with Instrument Rating (+20 points)
  • Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating (+30 points)
  • Airline Transport Pilot (+50 points)

Pilot Ratings Held:

  • Glider Rating (+10 points)
  • Helicopter Rating (+10 points)
  • Multi-Engine Rating (+10 points)
  • Seaplane Rating (+5 points)
  • Type Rating in any aircraft (+5 points)
  • Tailwheel Endorsement (+10 points)
  • Certified Flight Instructor (+10 points)
  • Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument (+10 points)
  • Certified Flight Instructor, Multi-Engine (+10 points)

Flight Hours - Total Time (All Aircraft):

  • 0-499 Hours (+0 Points)
  • 500-999 Hours (+10 Points) 
  • 1,000-4,999 Hours (+20 Points)
  • > 5,000 Hours (+30 points)

Flight Hours - Total Piper M-Class Time:

  • 0-99 Hours (+0 points) 
  • 100-199 Hours (+5 points)
  • 200-299 Hours (+10 points)
  • 300-499 Hours (+25 points)
  • 500-999 Hours (+35 points)
  • 1,000-4,999 Hours (+45 points)
  • > 5,000 Hours (+50 points)

Piper M-Class Flight Hours in the Program Year (July 1 through June 30):

  • 0-49 hours (not eligible for recognition this year)
  • 50-99 hours ** only Master Aviator - Retention are eligible to apply ** (+5 points)
  • 100-125 hours (+10 points)
  • 125-199 hours (+20 points)
  • > 200 hours (+30 points)

Instrument Approaches Flown in the Program Year (July 1 through June 30):

  • 0-5 (not eligible for recognition this year) 
  • 6-11 (+5 points)
  • 12-20 (+10 points)
  • > 20 (+15 points)

Completed an Instrument Proficiency Check in the Program Year (July 1 through June 30):

  • Yes (+5 points)

Completed a Flight Review with a CFI in the Program Year (July 1 through June 30):

  • Yes (+5 points)

Annual M-Class Training (initial or recurrent) Completed with:

  • a PMOPA SEF M-Class Standardized Instructor Pilot (MSIP) flight instructor (+35 points)
  • a Piper Factory Authorized Training Center (Legacy Flight Training or SimCom) (+35 points)
  • Another instructor approved by your insurance underwriter (+20 points)
  • Other CFI  (+15 points)
  • None of the above (0 points)

Mid-year Training Event in the Program Year (July 1 through June 30):

Mid-year training is in addition to an initial or recurrent training event. It does not include an initial or recurrent training. Pilots may receive credit for a maximum of four mid-year training events completed during the program year.

  • Training in-aircraft with a CFI (+20 points)
  • Training in a simulator (flight training device) with a CFI  (+20 points) 
  • PMOPA Regional Event (+15 points)
  • PMOPA Convention  (+15 points)
  • Training seminar provided by a PMOPA SEF MSIP instructor (+10 points)
  • None (+0 points)

Speciality Training Activities:

You may have accomplished these at any time during your flying career. You may count the same specialty training activity each year you submit a Master Aviator Program application. For example, if you completed the Water Survival course at the Convention in 2022, you may count that in every Master Aviator Program application you submit in the years following.

Completing either a Specialty or a second Mid-Year Training Event is required for recognition as a Senior Aviator or Master Aviator.

  • Specialized Upset/Recovery Training Course (+20 points)
  • Garmin Factory Avionics Training (+15 points)
  • Altitude Chamber (+15 points)
  • PROTE Chamber (+10 points)
  • Water Survival (+10 points)
  • None (+0 points)
  • Other, please describe (+10 points potential. The Safety Committee will make a points determination on a case-by-case basis depending on the type of training.)

Participation in PMOPA Webinars and FAA FAASTeam Wings Programs:

Calculate your number of credits for each level; none required, maximum 10 per level.

  • PMOPA Webinar Attendance (+3 points each webinar)
  • FAA FAAST Team Wings Programs  (+2 points each)

Post-Flight Analysis and/or PMOPA Flight Data Monitoring Program Participation:

Participation in other PMOPA and/or PMOPA Safety & Education Foundation initiatives:
  • Active Member of PMOPA Safety Committee (+20 points)
  • Achieved MSIP recognition through PMOPA SEF (+10 points) 
  • Other, please describe (+10 points potential. The Safety Committee will make a points determination on a case-by-case basis depending on the member's involvement in the safety initiative.)

NOTE: Applicants cannot double count training activities. For example, applicants can earn points for attending the PMOPA Convention. Convention attendees also may receive Wings credit for certain Convention education sessions. When applying for PMOPA Master Aviator recognition, applicants cannot claim points for both attending the PMOPA Convention and the Wings credit for the same PMOPA Convention sessions. 

4. Application

Candidates can apply for recognition via the PMOPA Master Aviator Program app. The app will be available on July 1. 

 

View the January 2026 PMOPA Webinar for an overview of the PMOPA Master Aviator Program

Whether you’re just learning about the Master Aviator Program, already considering participation, or you've been recognized as a Master Aviator previously, this webinar recording provides valuable insights.

 

 

2026 Master Aviator Webinar