The General Aviation Manufacturers
Association (GAMA) has established an Environment Committee to
represent the general aviation (GA) manufacturing industry's
environmental policy and coordinate with other aerospace industry
stakeholders and government entities. The committee is charged with
ensuring that GAMA's members are full and active participants in
the discussions and policy decisions about general aviation's
environmental impact and initiatives. It will also work to build
support for more research and technology to further improve upon
its long track record of reducing aviation's carbon footprint.
The Environment Committee, approved by GAMA's Board of Directors
during its quarterly meeting in May, will coordinate with other
aviation organizations and stakeholders worldwide. The committee
will be chaired by Steven Ridolfi, GAMA board member and president
of Bombardier Business Aircraft, based in Montreal, Canada.
GAMA Chairman and Chairman/CEO of Cirrus Design Corporation,
Alan Klapmeier (pictured below), stated, "With a background in
regional aircraft and ties to the commercial airline industry,
combined with Bombardier's design and manufacturing presence in the
U.S., Canada, Europe and Mexico, Steve brings to general aviation a
unique blend of knowledge and experience. GAMA believes it is
imperative that the entire industry focus on its common objective
of rational, science-based environmental policies that allow all
sectors to grow even as they reduce their environmental impact. I
am confident that Steven will bring an all-inclusive, creative
approach to addressing our common environmental challenges and the
opportunities that lie ahead."
GAMA aims to become a leading source for industry environmental
data and will work to encourage rigorous, science-based analysis of
issues related to aviation and the environment.
"The general aviation manufacturing industry has a powerful
record of technological advancements that has brought about a 50
percent improvement in specific fuel consumption of business jet
engines since they were first introduced during the 1960s. This
improvement in fuel efficiency translates directly to significantly
reduced emissions," said Pete Bunce, GAMA's president and CEO.
Bunce added, "The general aviation industry is an integral part
of a nation's transportation system and it is committed to
mitigating its collective impact on the environment through
technologies that neither constrain industry growth nor negatively
impact the high quality jobs that span the spectrum of the aviation
industry. GAMA and its member companies are working in Washington,
Brussels, Ottawa and Brasilia to convince policymakers to form
government-industry partnerships that leverage science and
innovation to further improve upon aviation's already strong record
of reducing its environmental impact."
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