Jan. 23, 2017
During visits with local groups last week, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen thanked business aviation advocates for their grassroots efforts to stop federal proposals for creating a privatized ATC system funded by user fees.
However, he noted that the community must remain vigilant because the issue is likely to come up again later this year. Bolen, who attended events in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, said that at some point during the year, NBAA would likely once again call upon members to make use of the association’s online Contact Congress resource – which allows industry stakeholders to email or tweet their elected representatives – in opposition to ATC privatization funded through user fees. Learn more about Contact Congress.
On Jan. 17, Bolen shared his views about the issue, and other policy developments in Washington, DC, with more than 100 members of the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA), at that organization’s annual meeting. “Your involvement has made a difference, and will continue to be needed as we move forward with a new administration in Washington,” Bolen told those in attendance.
“Ed gives us his ‘insider’s view” with a clarity and insight better than anyone else,” said CABAA Board Member George Yundt. “We are not only grateful for his stewardship at NBAA, but for his continued encouragement to our CABAA membership of what we can all do to support, promote and protect our industry at the local level.”
While in Denver, Bolen spoke at the Colorado Aviation Business Association’s (CABA’s) annual meeting on Jan. 18. “NBAA is most appreciative of all of CABA’s efforts over the years in advocating for business aviation with elected officials and the community,” said Bolen.
CABA Chairman Chris Leach thanked Bolen as well, saying, “We appreciate Ed’s willingness to engage regional groups in meaningful and constructive dialogue, and the entire CABA board of trustees is very grateful to NBAA for its ongoing support.”
On Jan. 20, Bolen met with the board of the Santa Monica Airport Association (SMAA) and pledged that NBAA would continue to do whatever it can to ensure that the embattled California airport stays open. At the meeting, Bolen recognized the important role SMAA members play in countering much of the misinformation about the airport.
For example, Jan. 14, SMAA partnered with the Red Cross in a simulated disaster airlift response team event, in which 10 airplanes from five airports across Los Angeles County landed at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to demonstrate the importance of the airfield in serving the community during a crisis.
“Thanks to Ed Bolen and NBAA, the fight continues to keep SMO open and operating as a part of our national airspace,” said SMAA Vice President Dave Hopkins.