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."

FMI: www.GAMA.aero