Has Grown From 19 Charter Members When Established In 1947

The NBAA is now 11,000 members strong, a milestone that reflects the value that association members place on NBAA’s efforts on their behalf.

“The growth of an association’s membership is testimony to its value, so we are pleased to reach this important milestone,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Clearly, NBAA’s work to advocate for business aviation, and foster its growth in the U.S. and around the world is well understood by the entrepreneurs and companies across the U.S., which rely on business aircraft.”

As an example of NBAA’s ongoing work to champion NBAA members’ interests, Bolen pointed to the association’s long-standing efforts to protect the industry’s access to airports and airspace, enhance safety and security, foster international operations, improve the certification of new technologies, and make a Next Generation, or “NextGen” aviation system a reality. Over the past year, NBAA has aggressively opposed a proposal being pushed by the airlines that would give them effective control of the nation’s air traffic system, potentially harming the thousands of communities, all across the country, that rely on general aviation.

Over the years, NBAA has promoted a host of additional items, including improvements to airways and airports, enhanced weather-reporting services, expansion of communications and air navigation facilities, equitable tax rulings for business aircraft operators and better air traffic control procedures, among other issues.

The association also continues its efforts to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of business aviation through the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is co-sponsored by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). The campaign highlights the fact that business aviation supports more than a million American jobs, and generates $219 billion in U.S. economic activity each year, provides a transportation lifeline to communities with little or no airline service, helps companies thrive and supports humanitarian initiatives across the country.

The association also produces NBAA’s annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition – (NBAA-BACE) – the world’s largest business aviation event, where participants have an unequaled opportunity to view the latest business aircraft, products, technology, and services the industry offers. The event also offers a premier networking venue, and dozens of educational sessions. This year, 27,000 industry professionals are expected to gather in Orlando, FL from Nov. 1 to 3 for NBAA-BACE.

The association’s professional staff includes industry experts, an operations services group, a team of air traffic services specialists and six regional representatives who advocate for business aviation across the country, work with regional aviation groups and assist member companies with operational and management concerns.

NBAA was established in 1947 by 19 charter members. Today, the association represents a diverse set of entrepreneurs and companies that depend on the use of business aircraft to be more efficient, productive and successful.

(Source: NBAA news release)

FMI: www.nbaa.org