Sept. 29, 2022
NBAA commended the House of Representatives for passing legislation this week that would establish a National Center for the Advancement of Aviation (NCAA), a federally chartered, private entity to support and promote the civil aviation and aerospace workforce.
“NBAA is firmly committed to promoting the development of our industry’s future workforce, and we applaud the passage of HR 3482, the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation, which will aid in our continued global leadership in aviation by facilitating collaboration and cooperation among all sectors of aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Among other things, the NCAA will bring together stakeholders from across the military and private sectors to provide STEM-focused resources to high school and collegiate curriculum developers.
In addition, the center will focus on workforce development; economic and safety data and research sharing; and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
In a letter previously sent to lawmakers, the panel’s ranking member, the NBAA joined hundreds of stakeholders in thanking the lawmakers for their support of the bill.
“The NCAA created by your legislation would ensure that the United States remains a global aviation and aerospace leader in a number of ways,” the letter stated. By supporting education efforts and providing resources to curriculum developers, the NCAA will ensure the necessary tools and training to educate the next generation of aviation professionals.
Read the full letter in support of NCAA. (PDF)
The center’s central repository for economic and safety data research and analysis will provide the industry with the information needed to anticipate issues and come up with proactive responses. The NCAA will help promote cross-disciplinary collaboration across aviation and aerospace communities through the support of symposiums and conferences.
The legislation will help address workforce challenges facing the aviation industry, including a prediction by the FAA that more than half of the current science and engineering workforce is expected to hit retirement age soon.
The legislation was introduced in May 2021 by Rep. Andre Carson (D-7-IN) and the late Rep. Don Young (R-At Large-AK), who passed away in March. Companion legislation in the U.S. Senate was introduced in Feb. 2020 by Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.