NBAA announces objectives for its owner pilot association coalition

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During EAA AirVenture, the National Business Aviation Association announced five priorities for the business aviation group’s newly formed Owner Pilot Association Coalition (NBAA OPAC).

The NBAA called the priorities “game-changing” for its goal to address the top concerns of business aviators.

 “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,” said Andrew Broom, NBAA senior vice president of strategy, marketing and innovation. “We are very excited about what we will have to say regarding the coalition’s work at NBAA’s convention, and beyond.”

The five key areas are defined by the NBAA as the following:

• 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.

“I’m excited to work together to address our shared challenges,” said Jenna Reid, executive director of the Malibu Owners and Pilots Association. “Thank you to NBAA for bringing us together and vastly expanding our resources for owner-operators.”

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).

 “NBAA’s Owner Pilot Association Coalition has the ability to build one strength upon another,” said Dale Huffstetler, leader of the Cirrus Vision Pilots and Owners group. “Industry-wide issues often affect pilots of all aircraft types. Learning from each other and tackling those issues together will be a great benefit.”