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BBGA

BBGA - Carbon Balanced

BBGA is the UK’s National Trade Body representing companies operating and trading in the General and Business Aviation Industry

BBGA members include

Manufacturers, operators, maintenance organisations, repair & overhaul organisations, training organisations, aircraft & helicopter sales organisations, spares stockists and other supporting organisations including finance, insurance and publications companies.

Aims of BBGA

BBGA's purpose is two-fold. Firstly, it represents the interests of member companies and overseas affiliates at local, national, European and international levels. Active and enthusiastic participation in BBGA's affairs by respected Chairmen, Managing Directors and Senior Executives of major General Aviation companies assures that BBGA is fully attuned at all times to the industry's needs and problems.

BBGA's second function is to support and promote the growth and well-being of a profitable General Aviation industry in Britain. BBGA believes that growth is essential for the industry's future welfare and to the future economy of this country. General Aviation provides services both to industry and private individuals which are vitally important to local and national economies. Our task is to ensure that General Aviation's importance is fully understood and appreciated by the public and by local and central government.

BBGA Philosophy and Code of Practice

BBGA members manufacture and sell a wide range of products, trading their products and services in a fair and businesslike manner and are prepared to stand by their actions and honour their obligations on all product liability directives and agreements. BBGA makes available to its member companies a Code of Practice and standard Terms & Conditions.

BBGA believes its members' customers will recognise in the BBGA Logo the sign of high standards of business conduct and efficiency.

BBGA is an essential body if General Aviation is to grow. In these days of collectivism a trade association is vital and can look after the interests of all the diversified activities including sport flying, air touring, corporate and business aircraft operations, pilot training establishments and the servicing companies.

The Association also exists for the benefit of the public with the intention that customers who deal with BBGA members will be aware that high professional standards are observed.

BBGA Constitution

BBGA is as a Trade Association and through its Memorandum and Articles of Association is governed by a Council made up of senior executives from our member companies, to whom the Chief Executive, BBGA staff and Committees are responsible.

In order to identify more clearly their specific activities, the association is divided into four groups. Each group has its own elected Committee responsible for formulating recommendations in accordance with their Terms of Reference of which the Chairman and at least one other member would be represented on the Council. By bringing together like minds from within the membership, BBGA is able to draw on a wealth of knowledge, experience and talent and to put those closest to the needs of our industry at the sharp end of negotiations with government, authority and politicians. In this way BBGA has evolved as the respected and effective lobbying force on behalf of British Commercial and General Aviation. The Groups are:

When needed ad hoc committees are formed to co-ordinate special campaigns or action on specific areas of interest. In 1994, an Airport Working Group was formed to combat the loss of Business Aviation airfields and to campaign against restrictions at major UK airports. The Group also acts as BBGA's interface with the General Aviation Awareness Council, a body bringing together all parties interested in General Aviation.

Sales & Support Group

  • Aircraft Manufacturers
  • Distributors
  • Dealers and Sales Organisations of Aircraft, Aircraft Spares and Avionics
  • Aviation Finance Companies
  • Aviation Insurance Brokers
  • Freight Forwarders
  • Fuel Manufacturers
  • Publishers
  • Aircraft Handling Agencies
  • Information Technology Providers

Flight Operations Committee

  • Air Charter
  • Air Taxi, Business
  • Corporate Operators

Engineering Committee

  • Aircraft Maintenance and Overhaul Approved Organisations
  • Component Maintenance and Overhaul Organisations
  • Avionics Maintenance Organisations

Professional Flight Training Committee

  • Flying Training Organisations
  • Simulator Training Organisations, Manufacturers and Distributors of Simulators

If you are trading or operating in the General or Business Aviation Industry you will benefit by becoming a member of BBGA.

For a prospectus and details of subscription rates and other benefits, please contact us.

> Current Membership

BBGA Membership

BBGA is an independent Organisation which has steadily grown in its representation of General Aviation Operators, Manufacturers and Traders in the United Kingdom. Members typically include Air Taxi Operators, Professional Operators of Corporate Aircraft, Fixed Base Operators, Aircraft Maintenance Organisations, Suppliers and Manufacturers of Aircraft and Spares, Aviation related Training Organisations, Companies supplying or supporting the Industry and other providers in the General Aviation Sector.

What BBGA does for its members

Representation

BBGA sits on a wide range of relevant Committees and Bodies at both national and European level (plus affiliations in other countries) in order to monitor and influence those policies which affect General Aviation.

Campaigning

BBGA reacts to problems as they arise or are about to arise and campaigns to change such situations to the benefit of the industry. BBGA also takes a proactive stance and campaigns for the introduction of new procedures should that be beneficial to the industry. A list of current campaigns is available from the BBGA Office.

Monitoring

Through its membership of committees and bodies and through its natural vigilance in the General Aviation world, BBGA monitors changes in legislation and in the marketplace.

Collectivism

Membership of BBGA brings together people in the General Aviation industry thus forming a network of mutually beneficial support and passage of information.

Promotion

BBGA seeks to promote the industry by supporting the General Aviation Awareness Council in conjunction with other aviation organisations. It widely distributes its Directory to potential customers and expects its members to display the BBGA logo as an indication of a high standard of trading. BBGA members are provided with a standard Code of Practice. BBGA also supports relevant Trade Shows and Exhibitions.

Information

BBGA keeps its membership advised through the British General Aviation Bulletin, Special Group Bulletins and other newsletters. The BBGA annual Conference is widely acclaimed as a forum for attracting informative and authoritative speakers and also acts as a clearing house for determining policy for the succeeding year. BBGA conducts a number of surveys on a range of General Aviation subjects. The Association, through its experts, helps interpret new legislation, including European legislation and advises members accordingly.

Benefits

Being a member of a Trade Association also brings a range of benefits including a discounted Employers Liability Insurance Scheme, and discounts on Car Rental and Hotel reservations. Past and present publications, survey results and access to a library of UK and European legislation are open, free to all members.

Accreditation

Joining companies are accepted by consensus of the Council into Association membership and have available a code of practice. BBGA member companies know that their customers will recognise the BBGA logo as a sign of fair trading by companies accredited by a Trade Association.

BBGA Policy

BBGA achieves its aims through the following policies.

Firstly it promotes, provides for and fosters co-operation between its members and other organisations on matters of common concern.

Secondly it acts as a mouthpiece to express the general policy and views of the General Aviation industry.

Thirdly it provides advice and information to members on matters of common interest.

Fourthly it enters into discussions and campaigns with government and other authorities to obtain rights, privileges and concessions for the GA Industry.

Finally it helps apply for and protect such licenses and approvals required by the industry.

Government Policy

BBGA believes that the Government must recognise the benefits and the importance of a flourishing General Aviation industry. The Government can achieve this by not placing intolerable restrictions on the operation of light aircraft. By aligning VAT regulations in a way that does not place our industry at a competitive disadvantage in the single market or in international trading. By ensuring that reasonable access is given to business and private aircraft flights into major United Kingdom airports and by encouraging utilisation of suburban airfields and development of Airfields for Business aviation and Flying Training.

Civil Aviation Authority Policy

BBGA believes that the Civil Aviation Authority, whilst having a statutory duty to look after the interests of the travelling public and the public at large by ensuring that high standards are maintained, must accept the importance of supporting the growth of a well managed and profitable British General Aviation industry. This, in turn, means that the imposition of regulations, inspection requirements and documentation must be kept at a level consistent with ensuring that adequate safety standards are maintained but without excessive and costly non-productive legislation. Furthermore, the cost of regulation must be affordable; the United Kingdom is unique in that its regulatory authority, the CAA, is required to recover 100% of its costs from industry.

European Harmonisation of Civil Aviation Legislation

BBGA is active in monitoring and participating in the development of Joint Airworthiness Requirements (JARs) and contributes to a number of JAR Committees through its representation on European bodies such as the European Business Aircraft Association (EBAA) and European Council of General Aviation Support (ECOGAS) and it takes a leading role within these organisations.

This leading role is of increasing importance with the development of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Through ECOGAS, BBGA sits on the Advisory Board of EASA ensuring General Aviation has a voice at the very heart of future rulemaking.

General Aviation Awareness Council

BBGA supports the General Aviation Awareness Council which is a body formed from the majority of organisations representing General Aviation, both trade and leisure. The Council aims to make the public aware of the benefits of General Aviation and campaigns to prevent the reduction of General Aviation airfields.

General Aviation Safety Council

BBGA supports the General Aviation Safety Council, the body which promotes sound flight safety principles throughout the General Aviation Community.

The Environment

BBGA is conscious of the impact of aviation on the environment. BBGA supports the GAAC's Code of Conduct for General Aviation pilots. BBGA member companies are environmentally aware.

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