Founded in 1940, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) represents the interests of the general aviation business community before Congress and federal, state and local government agencies. NATA’s nearly 2,300 member companies provide a broad range of aeronautical services to the aviation community, including: aircraft sales and acquisitions, fuel, aircraft ground support, passenger and crew services, aircraft parking and storage, on-demand air charter, aircraft rental, flight training, aircraft maintenance and overhaul facilities, parts sales, and business aircraft and fractional ownership fleet management. 

NATA members range in size from large companies with international presence to smaller, single-location operators that depend exclusively on general aviation for their livelihood. Smaller companies account for the majority of NATA’s membership and most NATA members have fewer than 40 employees and are designated as small businesses by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

NATA Membership – Empowering safe and successful aviation businesses

Beyond its interaction with governmental entities, NATA membership offers a number of important safety and business benefits including its Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference and its highly regarded Safety 1^st Professional Line Service Training (PLST) program. Considered the industry standard in line service training program, the PLST program has instructed over 16,000 line service specialists in safe aircraft handling procedures and Safety 1^st has trained over 35,000 individuals.  Through the association’s partnership with NATA Compliance Services the industry has access to special services, including the Known Crewmember Program (KCM), drug testing, background screening, and fingerprinting for employees of aviation-related businesses in accordance with all current FAA and TSA regulations.

General Aviation – A critical sector of the American economy 

Contributing more than $150 billion annually in economic activity and supporting more than 1.2 million jobs, general aviation is a critical lifeline for thousands of communities. Across the country, there are over 5,000 airports of which only 500 have commercial airline service. General aviation and local airports serve as vital lifelines for communities across the country, aiding in business and job growth, and also supporting law enforcement, medical care, disaster relief, fire fighting and nearly every aspect of public safety.