March 27, 2015
Business aviation advocacy in Tennessee received a significant boost with the formation of the Tennessee Business Aviation Association (TnBAA).
“We look forward to representing the interests of business aviation in the Nashville area and across the state,” said Tom Tate, president of TnBAA. “We want to serve as a voice for Tennessee aviation.”
Although interest in TnBAA is strong in Nashville, Tate noted there are business aviation hot spots in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville and other locations, and he hopes to have representatives from across Tennessee on the TnBAA board. The newly minted group is already planning a number of networking and educational events for the rest of the year.
Greg Voos, NBAA’s Southeast regional representative, was instrumental in bringing together individuals interested in forming TnBAA, and helped with development of the group’s website and bylaws. Voos also put the Tennessee group in touch with officials of the Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA), who helped mentor the fledging organization.
“The leadership of GBAA is to be commended for their willingness to advise the new Tennessee association,” said Voos, adding that Tate has “really taken the reins and run with it.”
TnBAA plans on having mentoring and scholarship programs and would like to host informational events with speakers focusing on topics such as ADS-B equipage, pilot health and medical certification issues. According to Tate, the group wants to have a presence within the Tennessee airport system to help ensure safe and efficient operations for the business aviation community.
According to the new group’s mission statement, TnBAA also wants to “foster an environment that recognizes the significance of aviation awareness of current issues and challenges. TnBAA will be the platform to educate, promote and advance the aviation industry. TnBAA wants to maintain efficient and effective programs for Tennessee business aviation, and support educational scholarships to help ensure Tennessee’s aviation future.”
Tennessee officials have long supported business aviation, with Gov. Bill Haslam issuing an aviation appreciation proclamation in 2012, and former Gov. Phil Bredesen issuing a similar announcement in 2010.
For more information on TnBAA, contact Tate at (615) 465-7600 or Thomas_tate@chs.net.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.