Washington, DC – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) will present the American Spirit Award to President Emeritus John W. Olcott during the NBAA President’s Luncheon on Tuesday, October 7 at the NBAA 56th Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando. The award recognizes individuals within business aviation who exemplify the courage, pursuit of excellence and service to others that characterize the men and women who created and nurtured the American aviation community.
Olcott was president of NBAA from May 1992 to June 2003. Among his achievements, Olcott led NBAA’s efforts to expand the worldwide acceptance of general aviation (GA) as a form of business transportation through various activities, including the creation of NBAA’s European and Latin American trade shows, EBACE and LABACE. His efforts to communicate the benefits of business aviation led to NBAA’s creation of both the “No Plane, No Gain” advocacy program and the highly popular Business Wings exhibit at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. Olcott served as chairman of the General Aviation Coalition for two years. Working with other associations through the Coalition, NBAA was successful in facilitating access to airports and airspace while lobbying effectively against the imposition of user fees for the GA community.
During Olcott’s tenure, Membership services expanded in numerous areas, most significantly in the creation of NBAA.org – the first web site among business aviation associations – and the establishment of the GA Desk at the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Herndon, VA. Also under his leadership, NBAA proposed security measures that have been adopted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as the TSA Access Certificate (TSAAC).
“In his eleven years as NBAA president, Jack Olcott did an outstanding job serving the needs of the Membership and the business aviation community,” said NBAA Chairman George A. Saling. “During his presidency, the Association grew more than 143 percent, Convention attendance more than doubled, NBAA’s revenues tripled and its funds balance quadrupled. Jack and his team worked with the FAA to create the new FAR 91, Subpart K for fractional operators and improve FAR Part 135, among many other successes.
“A long-time advocate of business aviation, Jack also developed programs to educate the press, the general public and others about business aviation’s critical role in support of companies operating aircraft in the economy. We are grateful for his service.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.