The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has unveiled five game-changing priorities that will drive the organization’s newly established Owner Pilot Association Coalition’s (NBAA OPAC’s) mission to tackle top concerns for business aviators.
The five key areas, introduced at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA’s) annual AirVenture Oshkosh event, include:
- Finding a fix that restores the ability for aging pilots to get a fair shake at obtaining comprehensive aviation insurance;
- Developing user-friendly, easily accessible data-collection tools that enhance safety and training;
- Addressing air traffic control efficiencies and training requirements;
- Working with the industry to identify solutions to remedy snags in supply-chain and training availability;
- Sharpening the focus of NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) and OPAC coalition events, so that expertise and resources best meet owner-pilot needs.
The NBAA OPAC’s new imperatives were greeted with excitement and enthusiasm by owner-pilot group leaders.
“I’m excited to work together to address our shared challenges,” said Malibu Owners and Pilots Association Executive Director Jenna Reid.
“Thank you to NBAA for bringing us together and vastly expanding our resources for owner operators.”
The Cirrus Vision Pilots and Owners leader Dale Huffstetler agreed, adding: “NBAA’s Owner Pilot Association Coalition has the ability to build one strength upon another.
“Industry wide issues often affect pilots of all aircraft types. Learning from each other and tackling those issues together will be a great benefit.”
Andrew Broom, NBAA senior vice president of strategy, marketing and innovation, reflected the owner-pilot groups’ enthusiasm, noting: “The flight path developed by NBAA and its coalition of owner-pilot organizations offers just a first glimpse of what can be realized when we mobilize together on key priorities, and address challenges collectively.
“We are very excited about what we will have to say regarding the coalition’s work at NBAA’s convention, and beyond.”
The NBAA OPAC, a first-of-its-kind collaboration, includes representatives from six owner-pilot groups, including Cirrus Vision Pilots and Owners (VPO), Citation Jet Pilots Association (CJP), Embraer Jet Operators Association (EJOA); Malibu M-Class Owner and Pilot Association, Pilatus Owner Pilot Association (POPA) and TBM Owner Pilot Association (TBMOPA).