General and Business Aviation Strategic Forum
This industry group comprises the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the General Aviation Alliance, CAA CEO, DfT and the BBGA. We are in the fortunate position of being the group which represents all of the UK’s GA activity and provides strategic direction for our sector. All the other associations have access through one of the three trade bodies listed. This gives us as a sector great access to the key decision makers in the UK. It also allows us to directly represent your position where it matters.
Other Association Links
We have a formal link with EBAA through an agreement which gives UK members a single point of access, whilst accessing the benefits of both BBGA & EBAA membership. Together, joint working groups and a national association forum generate significant benefit for all our members.
As highlighted in the previous section we have a close working relationship with AOPA and the GAA. This enables us to act together as the strategic voice for GA in the UK. We also have a strong link with the European Independent Maintenance Group, which represents independent MROs. As well as this, we have a clear link with Airlines of UK. As a result, we can speak with one voice on Airworthiness matters in the UK.
The last piece of the jigsaw is the General Aviation Awareness Council. This group has a particular focus on managing the status of our network of airfields throughout the UK. Given the status of the UK in terms of the density and utilisation of our airspace it is vital that we ensure that we have the infrastructure to support our business into the future.
BBGA Relationships Explained – flowchart
ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support)
One of our best kept secrets is ECOGAS which provides us with a formal vehicle to work with EASA. One has to have a pan European association to gain access to EASA and BBGA on its own cannot gain access. However, ECOGAS is much more than that as it comprises the major European associations. It focuses on the airworthiness and training aspects which EBAA does not. So, between us we have a broad base with which we can address issues to EASA. ECOGAS has some 700 members through its associations. This gives us a great voice to represent SMEs with both the Commission and EASA, in a European context. ECOGAS has formal seats on all the EASA advisory boards.
IBAC (International Business Aviation Council)
The BBGA, as a founder member of this group has a forum to work with all the major international associations across the world. Together, therefore, we can help shape the future direction of our sector. IBAC is based in Canada in the same offices as ICAO, which puts us in an ideal position to directly influence the long term legislation which drives our part of aviation.
The other major activity with IBAC is the development of industry standards with ISBAO and ISBAH. This is a great example of industry leading the way on things that matter and by driving the standards ourselves helps minimise the need for regulators to impose regulations
