Letters to Membership

NBAA’s President and Chairman of the Board periodically send letters to members, providing updates on the association, and keeping members advised of important issues in the industry as they arise. Browse past letters to NBAA members below.

Resources

Important Message from NBAA - Respect & Equity for All June 2, 2020: At a time when pain is palpable everywhere, NBAA is committed to the values that bind us together. With a renewed sense of purpose and urgency, we will work to enhance the diversity, inclusion, fairness and equality within our association, and the business aviation community.
NBAA Advocacy Update May 4, 2020: As the business aviation community grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, NBAA continues to advocate for member interests. Read NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen's May 1, 2020, advocacy update.
NBAA President and CEO COVID-19 Special Message March 27, 2020: NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen outlines what the association is doing to assist NBAA members and represent the business aviation community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Letter to Members: Activating the NBAA HERO Database Aug. 30, 2019: As Hurricane Dorian threatens the Florida coast, NBAA is activating the Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database.
A New Year, With Continuing Challenges Jan. 9, 2018: At the start of 2018, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen shares his perspective on challenges NBAA is facing in the coming year, from continuing the fight against ATC privatization to addressing member concerns about attracting and retaining talent.
Call to Action: Take Another Step Against ATC Privatization July 5, 2017: Thank you for contacting Congress to oppose H.R.2997, which seeks to privatize our nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. As expected, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee recently moved the bill forward – this means it could be considered soon by the full House, and is one step closer to being reality.
"Call to Action: Oppose H.R.2997" from Ed Bolen June 23, 2017: The moment for action has arrived, with yesterday’s introduction of H.R.2997 – legislation containing provisions for privatizing ATC – a long-standing priority for the nation’s big airlines.
Call to Action: An FAA Bill We Must Support March 31, 2017: S.2658 is a bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill that advances aviation safety, streamlines certification, advances Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration and accelerates implementation of a Next Generation (
An Important Milestone, But Much Work to Be Done July 18, 2016: Congress passed and the President signed into law a bill extending funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Sept. 30, 2017.
Call to Action: Oppose H.R. 4441 Feb. 8, 2016: On Feb. 4, 2016, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster introduced his FAA reauthorization bill, H.R. 4441, which is being pushed by the big airlines, calls for the privatization of our nation’s ATC system, and funds the new system through user fees.
At Year's End, A Battle Ahead Comes Into Focus Dec. 3, 2015: As we head into the final days of 2015, the general aviation community has once again been served with a fresh reminder of the very real threat to the industry from a proposal from the airline lobby that would create a privatized ATC system, funded through user fees, as part of legislation for the upcoming reauthorization of the FAA.
Call to Action: Help Fight FAA Privatization, User Fees June 24, 2015: On March 7, 2014, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent out a call to action asking NBAA Members to share their strong opposition to aviation user fees with elected officials.
Call to Action: Industry’s Voice Essential to Defeating Renewed User Fee Proposal March 7, 2014: On March 7, 2014, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent out a call to action asking NBAA Members to share their strong opposition to aviation user fees with elected officials.
Call to Action: Help End the Government Shutdown’s Dire Impact on Business Aviation Oct. 4, 2013: On October 4, 2013, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent out a call to action for NBAA Members to tell Congress about the impact of the government shutdown on business aviation.
Call To Action: You Can Help Grow Congressional GA Caucuses Feb. 4, 2013: On February 4, 2013, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent out a call to action for NBAA Members to help grow the bipartisan House and Senate General Aviation Caucuses.
Call To Action: Act Now To Oppose User Fees July 22, 2011: As Congress and the White House negotiate over the nation's deficit and debt ceiling, the business aviation community has cause for alarm.
User Fee Alert: Write Your Members of Congress Today July 15, 2011: As Congress and the White House negotiate over the nation's deficit and debt ceiling, the business aviation community has cause for alarm.
Act Now to Preserve the BARR Program July 12, 2011: This letter outlines the challenges to the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program and introduces the BARR Legal Defense Fund.
NBAA Responds To The President's Denigration of Business Aviation – You Can, Too July 5, 2011: This letter outlines the measures NBAA has undertaken in this regard to date, and details what NBAA Members can do to support our ongoing efforts.
BARR Program in Jeopardy, Take Action Now March 30, 2011: Government officials are taking action to severely curtail the effectiveness of the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) Program, and NBAA needs you to make your voice heard on the issue - immediately
BARR Program Update from Ed Bolen Feb. 15, 2011: The DOT has informed NBAA that, prior to making any decision to limit eligibility for the BARR program, it will issue a notice inviting interested persons to submit comments on such limitations.
Important Notice About the BARR Program from Ed Bolen Feb. 7, 2011: The Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering the establishment of onerous limitations to the Blocked Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) through implementation of a security-related eligibility requirement, both for current participants and for entities that may seek to participate in the future.
NBAA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program Sept. 27, 2010: The NBAA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program was launched in May 2009. The program has enjoyed great success—with savings to participating companies and additional revenues generated in support of NBAA’s mission.
NBAA 2010 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award Recipient March 22, 2010: I'm honored to announce that your Association has been chosen as the National Aviation Hall of Fame's (NAHF's) 2010 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award recipient.
"No Plane No Gain" Campaign's First Anniversary March 3, 2010: This week marks the one-year anniversary since NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association launched the No Plane No Gain public advocacy campaign, and it seems a good opportunity to provide an update on the progress we’ve made.
General Aviation Security Feb. 22, 2010: As we know, a suicidal pilot’s decision to fly a small general aviation airplane into a Texas office building last week grabbed headlines in newspapers across the country. But as tragic as the event was, it must be understood by Washington decision-makers as an act by a clearly troubled individual intent on committing suicide – not something that should reflect on the general aviation community as a whole.
White House Drops User Fees From FY2011 Budget Feb. 2, 2010: Yesterday, the White House released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011. Unlike its previous budget proposal, the one the White House released yesterday does not call for a transition to aviation user fees. The fact that user fees are not part of the President’s budget proposal shows the tremendous progress the business aviation community has made in our long campaign to defeat aviation user fees.
The Haiti Crisis Jan. 14, 2010: The business aviation community has a long history of providing flights and other support to help people and communities in the aftermath of natural disasters, and following this week's earthquake in Haiti, NBAA has heard from many Members wanting to volunteer aircraft, supplies and personnel to support earthquake relief efforts.
2009 Year's End Update Dec. 3, 2009: 2009 Year's End Update from Patrick C. Cunningham, Chairman, Board of Directors, National Business Aviation Association
NBAA Dues Support for No Plane No Gain April 16, 2009: April 8, NBAA's Board of Directors unanimously agreed to request a voluntary 50 percent dues assessment of all Members. Given economic realities, we know that not every NBAA Member will be able to step forward and be counted. But we also know ours is not a community that leaves the heavy lifting to others.
NBAA and GAMA Partnership Supports No Plane No Gain March 10, 2009: The strong relationship between the NBAA and GAMA is central to No Plane No Gain, a comprehensive public advocacy campaign recently launched by the two associations.
Association Reminds White House, Media, Others: Business Aviation Means Jobs Jan. 28, 2009: The challenges coming out of Washington appear no less daunting: In the three weeks since the 111th Congress was sworn in, business aviation has repeatedly been in focus for lawmakers. A troubling pattern seems to be emerging in which some policymakers are discouraging and disparaging the use of general aviation for business purposes – a pattern in evidence as recently as this week.
About a Harmful Provision to TARP Jan. 13, 2009: Last Friday, NBAA notified Member companies of an alarming provision included in a House proposal to amend the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that would require all businesses receiving TARP funds to immediately divest of business aircraft.
Help NBAA Respond to Negative News Reports Dec. 4, 2008: Like everyone else in our industry, NBAA has been frustrated by the mischaracterizations of business aviation that have been put forward, and we've been responding forcefully.
End of Fiscal Year Report July 21, 2008: On July 1, NBAA began a new fiscal year, which seems a good opportunity to report on the progress made, and look to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the new fiscal year gets underway.
Letter from NBAA Chairman of the Board Jeff Lee, July 21, 2008 July 21, 2008: On July 1, NBAA began a new fiscal year, which seems a good opportunity to report on the progress made, and look to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the new fiscal year gets underway.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, September 17, 2007 Sept. 17, 2007: As you may know, my tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors concludes on September 26. It has been an honor and great pleasure to serve the Members of the National Business Aviation Association and the broader business aviation community.
A Message From NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, May 21, 2007 May 21, 2007: Against all the odds, an early and tough fight in Congress to strike down user fees came within one vote of succeeding last week, thanks to an outpouring of help from you, NBAA’s Membership.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, April 18, 2007 April 18, 2007: As the first quarter of 2007 drew to a close, NBAA marked a number of achievements on behalf of the industry. The rest of the year promises equal progress toward our goal of advancing the interests of business aviation here and around the world. This letter recaps the significant events from the first quarter of this year, and takes a look ahead.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, October 10, 2006 Oct. 10, 2006: The year 2006 has been full of exciting developments in the business aviation community – it seems that hardly a week passes without announcements about new aircraft models, strong shipping and billing figures and other milestones being crossed.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, May 12, 2006 May 12, 2006: If you have attended a recent NBAA Forum, Conference or other event, you’ve likely heard President Ed Bolen speak about the threat of user fees to general aviation, or the onerous Congressional tax proposals targeted to our industry, both of which are being debated in Washington.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, January 9, 2006 Jan. 9, 2006: Since becoming Chairman of NBAA’s Board of Directors, I have said often that effective communication is the basis of a successful endeavor. Over the past year, I believe your Association has strengthened the two-way channels and frequency of communication with its Members, with the goal of improving its services to the entire business aviation community.
Letter from NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, October 14, 2005 Oct. 14, 2005: Last week’s theft of a Citation VII from Florida’s St. Augustine Airport reminds us of the importance of security for the business aviation community. We have known for decades that business aviation is in fact one of the safest and most secure forms of transportation available. And since September 2001, our community has adopted new and significant measures to further enhance its aviation security programs.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, September 14, 2005 Sept. 14, 2005: Since Hurricane Katrina brought devastation to the Gulf Coast region, the business aviation community has joined the rest of the nation in extending support and assistance to those most in need. Given the magnitude of the destruction, and the overwhelming response from NBAA Members, I wanted to write to highlight some of the efforts undertaken by NBAA and its Members to assist the people of the Gulf Coast region, as well as update you on other news of importance to the Association.
A Letter From Ken Emerick Chairman, NBAA Board of Directors, May 2, 2005 May 2, 2005: You may recall that shortly after being elected chairman of NBAA’s Board of Directors, I wrote to tell you about the Association’s strategic action plan and our legislative agenda for the year. Having chaired my first Board meeting last month, I wanted to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the many challenges and changes at NBAA.
Letter from NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, February 25, 2005 Feb. 25, 2005: Exactly two weeks after the Challenger 600 accident at Teterboro Airport, our industry was again rocked by the tragic crash last week of a Cessna Citation CE-560 at Pueblo Memorial Airport in Colorado. The two events are the latest in a string of recent, high-profile general aviation accidents. Like all NBAA Members, my thoughts go out to the passengers, crew and families involved.
Letter from NBAA Chairman of the Board Ken Emerick, January 18, 2005 Jan. 18, 2005: It has now been one month since the NBAA Board of Directors elevated me to the position of Chairman, filling the vacancy created with Don Baldwin’s resignation. It seems an appropriate occasion for me to send a letter regarding the Association and its course for the future. I am encouraged with the progress the Association is making and hope that you will share that optimism.

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