Aviation Organizations

             In the aviation industry it is vital to remain informed on current procedures and all developing technologies. This is done by joining associations that pertain to the type of flying you are involved in. There are many different facets of aviation that have support through different associations. Personally, as a pilot who will be flying corporate in the future, I will become a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA). These organizations would benefit my career by allowing me to remain informed on both the national and state level.

            The NBAA “is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful.” (NBAA, 2016). The NBAA offers over 100 products and services to companies all over the country, and allows for attendance at critical conferences that assist in operating all over the world. I’ll be flying largely international at my perspective company.  With this in mind, it will benefit me to attend the NBAA’s International Operators Conference (IOC) to remain on top of all the changing procedures that go along with international travel. When flying internationally there are always changing procedures and regulations that a company much know and properly utilize in their standard operating procedures. Additionally, they provide a scheduling and dispatcher conference. The scheduling and dispatch conference allows for any company that provides services or support to the business aviation community, a place to come and state why they are the best at what they do. This provides the company the opportunity to utilize the best and most cost effective services and support for their fleet. Lastly, the NBAA provides lobbyists for business aviation. This is critical, especially pertaining to the fight against commercial aviation in regards to user fees. Without this service, the business aviation industry could become much less useful and effective.

            The MBAA “is dedicated to preserving and strengthening Michigan's aviation infrastructure by tirelessly working with the State's legislators to secure stable and adequate funding. We are focused on advocating for our members and actively supporting the next generation of business aviation professionals through various education events along with scholarship funding.” (MBAA, 2016). The MBAA allows for members of business aviation to know about all the changes and available resources as it pertains directly to Michigan aviation. The MBAA advocates for “sufficient funding to preserve, develop and assure safety at Michigan airports” (MBAA, 2016). Furthermore, the MBAA doesn’t just enhance the business aviation infrastructure in Michigan; it also assists in cultivating future pilots from Michigan. They do this in collaboration with the Frank P Macartney Foundation, and provide scholarships and events to “ensure the future of business aviation in Michigan stays strong long into the future” (MBAA, 2016). The MBAA is an excellent association to be apart of because it not only provides you with superior services in Michigan, it also gives back to future pilots.

            It is important to belong to these associations because they assist the industry in numerous ways. It may not always directly impact you or your career, but they all provide a vital service for the future of aviation. These associations lobby for my interests on both the national and state level. They provide the best source of knowledge pertaining to changes in the industry, as well as, developing technologies that are coming out. Lastly, they provide scholarships to assist students to begin their careers as pilots. This is a vital part of these associations’ missions. The aviation industry is an expensive industry to break into, especially on the pilot side. These scholarships allow future pilots the opportunity to complete all their flight training, when they may not have had the money to do so otherwise.  Through the involvement in these associations, a pilot can improve the infrastructure they operate in, as well as, their knowledge of aviation.

References

MBAA. (2016, April 2). Michigan Business Aviation Association. Retrieved from http://www.mibaa.org/

NBAA. (2016, April 2). National Business Aviation Association. Retrieved from https://www.nbaa.org/