The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has opened its membership to include non-U.S. manufacturers. Although the announcement is not altogether surprising, it represents a major change for the association and its future influence in the worldwide business aviation community. For the past 10 years, GAMA has been getting more involved in international business aviation issues, from its representation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to its position on the Extended Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS) issue. Also, the mergers in the 1990s of non-U.S. manufacturers with U.S. manufacturers created an awkward situation as far as GAMA membership was concerned. Clear evidence of the coming announcement came earlier this year when GAMA for the first time, included non-U.S.-built general aviation airplanes in its quarterly delivery statistics. The first four non-U.S. companies to join GAMA are: Bombardier, Falcon Jet, Embraer and Piaggio.