Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

The number of local business aviation advocacy groups has continued to swell to 49 associations as part of an attempt by business aviation users to involve more participants at the home-base level. Last year there were 43 such groups, a 40-percent increase from 2000.
While NBAA’s job is to promote and protect business aviation, its efforts over the last couple of years have focused primarily on federal issues, and for good reason in this post-9/11 world. To fill in the gaps, the organization has been fostering the development of local business aviation associations.
At the 2000 NBAA Convention, the association held a networking meeting for leaders of these groups. At that huddle, NBAA released a set of guidelines for local/regional business aviation groups. The document is a road map to help those interested in forming such an association with like-minded aviation professionals in the area.
In mid-2001 NBAA took a stronger role when it formed the Local Business Aviation Organization Committee. The standing committee, led by Arizona Business Aviation Association founder Richard Schuller until last month, is composed of representatives from local business aviation groups across the U.S. It held its first meeting at the 2001 NBAA Convention in New Orleans, and met again for the fourth time last month at the NBAA show in Las Vegas.
At the annual meeting last month, Schuller handed over the reins of the committee to corporate pilot Jim Ladd, who was elected leader of the group in March. Afterward, Jamie McIntyre of Montreal-based Romeo Oscar Marketing Communications updated members on a promotional CD that is designed to help foster new and existing local and regional business aviation associations.
Doug Schwartz, a corporate pilot and officer of the Morristown Aviation Association, also gave a presentation on community political relations. Before discussing new business, Ladd, NBAA vice president of membership Joe Ponte and NBAA West Coast representative Dan Burkhart spoke about what holds the individual local/regional business aviation groups together and shared best practices.
1. Addison Business Aviation Association Addison, Texas 150 members Contact: Jack Hopkins, president, (800) 248-1602 or 
<link jhopkins><a href="mailto:Jhopkins@millionairdallas.com">Jhopkins@millionairdallas.com</a>; Michael Tiller, (972) 267-4898; Mark Conrad, (972) 989-9086 or 
<link flydaddy><a href="mailto:flydaddy@worldnet.att.net">flydaddy@worldnet.att.net</a> 2. Arizona Business Aviation Association Scottsdale, Ariz. Contact: Richard Schuller, (480) 948-3777 or 
<link rich_aerospace><a href="mailto:rich_aerospace@att.net">rich_aerospace@att.net</a>; Brian Ready, (480) 991-1941 or 
<link bready><a href="mailto:bready@sri-ax.com">bready@sri-ax.com</a>; John Rudd, president, (602) 327-7103 or 
<link jmrudd><a href="mailto:jmrudd@cox.net">jmrudd@cox.net</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.azbaa.org" target="_blank">www.azbaa.org</a>
3. Aviation Professionals Sharing Ideas White Plains, N.Y. 335 members Contact: Keith Ruggirello, chairman, (631) 588-5454 or 
<link keith><a href="mailto:keith@flyefi.com">keith@flyefi.com</a>; Wendi Gavigan, co-chairman, (914) 989-2301 or 
<link gaviganw><a href="mailto:gaviganw@citigroup.com">gaviganw@citigroup.com</a>
4. Burbank Airport Users Group Burbank, Calif. Currently inactive Contact: Tom Porter, (818) 842-4633 or 
<link tom.porter><a href="mailto:tom.porter@disney.com">tom.porter@disney.com</a>
5. Business Aviation Professionals of New England Nashua, N.H. Contact: Holly Whitaker, (603) 881-8400 or 
<link holly><a href="mailto:holly@exclusive-air.com">holly@exclusive-air.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.bapne.org" target="_blank">www.bapne.org</a>
6. Centennial Airport Business Pilots Association Englewood, Colo. 100 members Contact: Bill Payne, (303) 790-9019 or 
<link bill><a href="mailto:bill@wepayne.com">bill@wepayne.com</a>
7. Central Iowa Business Aviation Association Des Moines, Iowa Contact: Bob Dickson, (515) 256-5517 or 
<link iowabizav><a href="mailto:IowaBizav@aol.com">IowaBizav@aol.com</a>
8. Chicago Area Business Aviation Association Chicago, Ill. Contact: Richard Del Frate, (847) 263-5793 or 
<link richard.delfrate><a href="mailto:richard.delfrate@cnh.com">richard.delfrate@cnh.com</a>; George Yundt III, (312) 371-7551, (708) 349-2121 or 
<link george.yundt><a href="mailto:george.yundt@falconjet.com">george.yundt@falconjet.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.cabaa.com" target="_blank">www.cabaa.com</a>
9. Connecticut Business Aviation Association East Granby, Conn. Contact: Sandy Sanderson, (203) 267-4500 or 
<link psanderson><a href="mailto:psanderson@imshealth.com">psanderson@imshealth.com</a>
10. Delaware Business Aviation Association Wilmington, Del. Contact: Neil Andrews, (302) 996-8000 
11. Dulles Business Aviation Association Washington, D.C. Contact: Andrew Battleson, (703) 402-2347 or 
<link abattleson><a href="mailto:abattleson@adelphia.net">abattleson@adelphia.net</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.dbaa.tv" target="_blank">www.dbaa.tv</a> 12. DuPage Pilots Association St. Charles, Ill. 130 members Contact: Dan Swanson, president, (630) 289-2581; Ken Kieffer, vice president, (847) 358-4355 or 
<link aerodine><a href="mailto:aerodine@aol.com">aerodine@aol.com</a>
13. Eastern Region Helicopter Council Sherman, Conn. Contact: Diane Dowd, (914) 287-6643 or 
<link diane.dowd><a href="mailto:Diane.dowd@corporate.ge.com">Diane.dowd@corporate.ge.com</a>; Matt Zuccaro, (914) 238-1800 or 
<link tailroader><a href="mailto:tailroader@aol.com">tailroader@aol.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.erhc.org" target="_blank">www.erhc.org</a> 14. Friends of Meacham International Airport Association Fort Worth, Texas 50 members Contact: Reed Pigman, (817) 624-8438 or 
<link rpigman><a href="mailto:rpigman@texasjet.com">rpigman@texasjet.com</a> 15. Friends of Meigs Field Chicago, Ill. Contact: Steve Whitney, (773) 465-0388 or 
<link swhitney><a href="mailto:swhitney@friendsofmeigs.org">swhitney@friendsofmeigs.org</a>; Rachel Goodstein, (773) 248-4310 or 
<link rgoodstein><a href="mailto:rgoodstein@friendsofmeigs.org">rgoodstein@friendsofmeigs.org</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.friendsofmeigs.org" target="_blank">www.friendsofmeigs.org</a>
16. Georgia Business Aviation Association Atlanta, Ga. Contact: Mark Hewlett, (706) 644-8017 or 
<link mhewlett><a href="mailto:mhewlett@tsys.com">mhewlett@tsys.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.gbaa.org" target="_blank">www.gbaa.org</a> 17. Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association Chesterfield, Mo. Contact: Mike Mueller, (800) 222-0422 or 
<link mmueller><a href="mailto:mmueller@midcoast-aviation.com">mmueller@midcoast-aviation.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.gslbaa.org" target="_blank">www.gslbaa.org</a>
18. Helicopter Operators of Texas Pearland, Texas Contact: James Thomas, (713) 641-0281
19. Houston Aviation Alliance Houston, Texas Contact: Shari Frisinger, (281) 992-4136 or 
<link thoughts><a href="mailto:thoughts@flash.net">thoughts@flash.net</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.HoustonAviationAlliance.com" target="_blank">www.HoustonAviationAlliance.com</a>
20. Idaho Business Aviation Association Boise, Idaho Contact: Michael Pape, (208) 869-9929 or 
<link mpflys><a href="mailto:mpflys@aol.com">mpflys@aol.com</a>
21. Indiana Business Aviation Association Indianapolis, Ind. Currently inactive Contact: Mark Prall, (317) 841-9405 or 
<link mark.prall><a href="mailto:mark.prall@att.net">mark.prall@att.net</a> 
22. Intercontinental Corporate Aviation Facility Operators Association Houston, Texas Contact: Jeanne Zito, (877) 959-8200 or 
<link jzeto><a href="mailto:Jzeto@tagaviation.com">Jzeto@tagaviation.com</a>
23. Kansas City Business Aviation Association Kansas City, Mo. Contact: Jeff Daniels, (816) 274-3637 or 
<link jeff.daniels><a href="mailto:jeff.daniels@kcbaa.org">jeff.daniels@kcbaa.org</a> Web site: 
<link billm><a href="http://www.kcbaa.org">www.kcbaa.org</a>
24. Long Island Business Aviation Association Farmingdale, N.Y. 50 members Contact: Bill McShane, chairman, (631) 588-0303 or 
<link billm><a href="mailto:billm@lijet.com">billm@lijet.com</a>; Rob Marinace, vice chairman, 
<link rob_marinace><a href="mailto:rob_marinace@nwjc.com">rob_marinace@nwjc.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.libba.org&gt;www.libba.org&lt;br /" target="_blank"></a> 25. Love Field Pilots Association Dallas, Texas Contact: Bob Chrampanis (214) 357-4036, (214) 357-4069 or 
<link bob_chrampanis><a href="mailto:bob_chrampanis@richards.com">bob_chrampanis@richards.com</a>
26. Massachusetts Business Aviation Association Bedford, Mass. Contact: John Williams, (866) 473-6843 Web site: <a href="http://www.massav.org" target="_blank">www.massav.org</a>
27. Meacham Business Aviation Association Fort Worth, Texas Contact: Don Hansen, (817) 625-7251 or 
<link hansendon><a href="mailto:hansendon@prodigy.net">hansendon@prodigy.net</a>
28. Michigan Business Aviation Association Lansing, Mich. Contact: Roger Salo, (734) 942-1100 or 
<link roger_salo><a href="mailto:Roger_salo@mascohq.com">Roger_salo@mascohq.com</a>
29. Mid-Atlantic Helicopter Association Washington, D.C. Contact: Ron Nimblett, (301) 912-2607 or 
<link rnimblett><a href="mailto:rnimblett@aol.com">rnimblett@aol.com</a>
30. Minnesota Business Aviation Association Minneapolis, Minn. Contact: Lynn Teppen, (612) 727-2132, 
<link lteppen><a href="mailto:lteppen@charter.net">lteppen@charter.net</a> or 
<link mbaa><a href="mailto:mbaa@mbaa-mn.org">mbaa@mbaa-mn.org</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.mbaa-mn.org" target="_blank">www.mbaa-mn.org</a>
31. Morristown Aviation Association Morristown, N.J. Contact: Kerry Ahearns, (973) 538-6400 or 
<link kerrya><a href="mailto:kerrya@mmuair.com">kerrya@mmuair.com</a>; Doug Schwartz, (973) 539-5795 or 
<link dougschwartz><a href="mailto:dougschwartz@att.com">dougschwartz@att.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.maassociation.org" target="_blank">www.maassociation.org</a>
32. Nebraska Business Aviation Association Omaha, Neb. 100 members Contact: Jim Ladd, (402) 271-3262 or 
<link jimladd><a href="mailto:Jimladd@bigfoot.com">Jimladd@bigfoot.com</a>; Scott Robertson, president, (402) 344-0921 or 
<link robertson><a href="mailto:Robertson@werner.com">Robertson@werner.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.nebaa.org" target="_blank">www.nebaa.org</a> 33. New England Helicopter Council Natick, Mass. Contact: Tom Grassia, (508) 650-9252 or 
<link tgrassia><a href="mailto:tgrassia@gmllaw.com">tgrassia@gmllaw.com</a>
34. New Jersey Aviation Association Trenton, N.J. Contact: Thomas Carver, (609) 599-3031 or <a href="mailto:njaacastle@erols.org">njaacastle@erols.org</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.njaviation.org" target="_blank">www.njaviation.org</a>
35. New Mexico Aviation Users Coalition Albuquerque, N.M. Contact: Scott Atchison, (505) 898-8411 or (505) 249-6860 36. North Carolina Business Aviation Association Raleigh, N.C. Contact: Bill Graef, (919) 981-0444 or 
<link billamg><a href="mailto:Billamg@aol.com">Billamg@aol.com</a>; Wes Maness, (336) 668-0411 or 
<link wmaness><a href="mailto:wmaness@atlantic-aero.com">wmaness@atlantic-aero.com</a>
37. Ohio Regional Aviation Association Clayton, Ohio Contact: Phil Roberts, (937) 833-1515 or 
<link phil_roberts><a href="mailto:Phil_Roberts@partraveltech.com">Phil_Roberts@partraveltech.com</a>
38. Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association Seattle, Wash. Contact: Richard Keltner, (206) 768-0796 or 
<link rkelt><a href="mailto:RKelt@aol.com">RKelt@aol.com</a>; Mark McIntyre, (206) 768-7262 or 
<link mmcinty><a href="mailto:mmcinty@attglobal.net">mmcinty@attglobal.net</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.pnbaa.org" target="_blank">www.pnbaa.org</a>
39. Pennsylvania Business Aviation Association Harrisburg, Pa. Contact: Louis Beemer, (717) 774-0145 or 
<link ljb><a href="mailto:ljb@harrisburgjetcenter.com">ljb@harrisburgjetcenter.com</a>
40. Professional Helicopter Pilots Association Burbank, Calif. Contact: Jeff Miller, (818) 786-5723 or 
<link info><a href="mailto:info@phpa.org">info@phpa.org</a>
41. Race Team Aviation Association Charlotte, N.C. Contact: Ronnie Fountain, (704) 528-6717, 
<link rfount0952><a href="mailto:Rfount0952@aol.com">Rfount0952@aol.com</a> or 
<link rtaapilot><a href="mailto:rtaapilot@yahoo.com">rtaapilot@yahoo.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.rtaa.org" target="_blank">www.rtaa.org</a>
42. San Antonio Area Business Aviation Alliance San Antonio, Texas Contact: Robert Mapes, (210) 860-3404 or 
<link n119rm><a href="mailto:N119rm@redmac.net">N119rm@redmac.net</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.saabaa.org" target="_blank">www.saabaa.org</a>
43. South Florida Business Aviation Association West Palm Beach, Fla. Contact: Robert Dowd, (561) 632-9660 or 
<link rmdowd><a href="mailto:rmdowd@attglobal.net">rmdowd@attglobal.net</a>
44. Teterboro Users Group Teterboro, N.J. Contact: Peter Bellini, (201) 847-3399 or 
<link peter_bellini><a href="mailto:Peter_bellini@bd.com">Peter_bellini@bd.com</a> 45. Texas Aviation Association Austin, Texas Contact: Ken Koock, (512) 303-1750 or 
<link kkoock><a href="mailto:kkoock@smithsys.net">kkoock@smithsys.net</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.txaa.org" target="_blank">www.txaa.org</a> 46. Westchester Aviation Association White Plains, N.Y. Contact: Berl Brechner, (914) 941-7146 or 
<link bbrech><a href="mailto:bbrech@bestweb.net">bbrech@bestweb.net</a>; Jeff Lee, (914) 499-2922 or 
<link jeffl><a href="mailto:jeffl@us.ibm.com">jeffl@us.ibm.com</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.westavia.com" target="_blank">www.westavia.com</a>
47. Western Michigan Aircraft Association Grand Rapids, Mich. Contact: Glen Jones, (616) 956-1722 or 
<link gjones><a href="mailto:gjones@steelcase.com">gjones@steelcase.com</a>
48. Wisconsin Business Aviation Association Racine, Wis. Contact: Fred Gammon, (414) 524-2215 or 
<link fred.d.gammon><a href="mailto:fred.d.gammon@jci.com">fred.d.gammon@jci.com</a>; David Mann, (262) 631-5620 or 
<link dmann><a href="mailto:dmann@wbaa.aero">dmann@wbaa.aero</a> Web site: <a href="http://www.wbaa.aero" target="_blank">www.wbaa.aero</a>
49. Women in Aviation–Space City Chapter Houston, Texas Contact: Laura Jolley, (281) 488-2167 or 
<link laurajolley><a href="mailto:laurajolley@VT-B737.com">laurajolley@VT-B737.com</a>; Shari Frisinger, (281) 992-4136 or 
<link shari><a href="mailto:shari@cornerstonestrategiesllc.com">shari@cornerstonestrategiesllc.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local and regional business aviation associations flourish

The number of local business aviation advocacy groups has continued to swell to 49 associations as part of an attempt by business aviation users to involve

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