NBAA Celebrates 70th Anniversary

bolen8x10_2006editNBAA marked its 70th anniversary on Monday. Founded Feb. 13, 1947, the association was formed by 19 companies that worked to ensure business aviation would have access to airports and airspace, while raising the bar on the industry’s safety and professionalism. Today, NBAA has more than 11,000 members.

“As we celebrate NBAA’s 70th anniversary, we should acknowledge the investment in business aviation made by our predecessors, but also understand the value of continuing to work together for the industry’s benefit,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “That includes exciting young people about the future of business aviation, as well as making sure that policymakers and opinion leaders understand its importance and value to our economy and transportation system. It also includes continuing the great humanitarian work our industry does every day.

“As it was for our founders, access to general aviation airports and to airspace continues to be fundamental to business aviation’s success, and it will be key to its future,” he added. “Similarly, we need to constantly focus on safety and professionalism, and remain unwilling to rest on our laurels when it comes to accident prevention and following industry best practices.”

Bolen said the anniversary offers “an opportunity to consider what each of us can do to carry the torch forward, so that business aviation is even stronger when NBAA marks future milestones.”