At 1-Year Mark, NBAA Owner-Pilot Coalition Focused on Key Priorities for Business Aviators

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, March 7, 2023 – Leaders of the 10 member groups of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Owner Pilot Association Coalition (NBAA-OPAC) recently wrapped a productive 2023 planning meeting focused on a number of new ways the expanding group can strategically coordinate to address top concerns for the owner-aviator community in the coming year.

The meeting – held on the one-year anniversary of the coalition’s formation – included leaders with four new NBAA-OPAC members: American Bonanza Society (ABS), Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), HondaJet Owners and Pilots Association (HJOPA) and Twin Cessna Flyer (TCF).

A key priority for meeting participants was the exploration of potential strategies to lower insurance for owner-operators, particularly for pilots over 70 years of age. The group also made plans for the production of resources to enhance operator safety; looking at innovative ways to lower fuel costs and addressing supply chain difficulties that affect all OEMs and owner-aviators.

Coalition members also provided ideas for building upon the Owner/Single-Pilot Pavilion at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), so that it will offer an even more visible and immersive experience at the 2023 edition of NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, NV.

“I’ve felt our community has needed a coalition like this for some time,” said Tom Turner, executive director of the ABS Air Safety Foundation. “The ability to discuss important safety and operational issues, and identify common best practices, will strengthen our entire industry.”

TCF Executive Director Christian Pancake agreed, adding: “While our respective associations may focus on different aircraft, we have much in common, including that most of our members fly single-pilot and often under IFR conditions. It’s important to have a forum like this, to address the issues that impact flying for all of us.”

“In its first year, the NBAA Owner Pilot Association Coalition has made impressive strides on several key priorities for owner-aviators,” said Andrew Broom, NBAA senior vice president for strategy, marketing and innovation. “Although relatively new, this group is proving itself to be more than the sum of its parts – it’s a uniquely valuable platform for bringing the owner-pilot community together to find creative solutions for tackling shared challenges. NBAA is excited to continue building on the momentum we’ve created to date.”

Founding members of the NBAA-OPAC include the Citation Jet Pilots Association (CJP); Embraer Jet Operators Association (EJOA); Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association (POPA); Malibu M-Class Owners and Pilots Association (MMOPA); TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) and Vision Pilots and Owners (VPO).

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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