The relationship between the EBAA and the JAA started back in 1987 when the association felt the need to raise the flag of business aviation within an environment dominated by the airlines. \rFor twelve consecutive years now, the EBAA experts have been helping the JAA in their difficult chore of reviewing the many national regulations in order to define a future level playing field for Europe, in which business aviation operators were not forgotten. The EBAA has been especially active in JAR-OPS 1, the governing regulation for commercial operations.\rBut it has long been clear to both commercial (air taxi) and private (corporate) operators, that JAR-OPS 1 was not the end of the mission and work has now begun on JAR-OPS 2 related to corporate business aviation. AWGAS (Aerial Work and General Aviation Sub-committee) has conducted four meetings so far. \r"After essentially procedural discussions, the work of AWGAS has now progressed to the point where we need a strong professional team. If we want to properly look after the interests of our members, we need experts, well versed both in advocacy on European rights and laws, and in current operating practices. We will provide that and look forward to working with other expert colleagues to develop a document in the best interests of both operators and regulators alike," said Brian Humphries, chairman of the association.\rGAMTA is represented on the committee through its membership of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support). With the largest number of British business aircraft operators in its membership, GAMTA is the most influential in Great Britain. \rIBAC (International Business Aviation Council) is not formally represented at JAR-OPS 2 meetings, but will be monitoring the business aviation inputs through EBAA. Recognising the leading role of EBAA in Europe, IBAC has commissioned the European association as a coordinator for all representatives from business aviation associations attending the AWGAS meetings.
- Fernand François
EBAA chief executive officer