National Air Transportation Association
| Type | Not for Profit |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Headquarters | Alexandria, Virginia, United States |
| Membership | General Aviation Companies |
| Field | Aviation advocacy |
| Number of Members | 2,000 (2010) |
| Key Personnel | President: Thomas L. Hendricks (since 2012) |
| Website | www.nata.aero |
Founded in 1940, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is the public policy group that represents the interests of the general aviation business community before the Congress and federal, state and local government agencies. NATA represents nearly 2,300 aviation businesses.
NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military. They also directly serve the traveling public by providing fuel, on-demand air charter, aircraft rental, storage, and flight training. Other services include aircraft maintenance, parts sales, and line support as well as business aircraft or fractional ownership fleet management. NATA member companies also provide airline baggage and cargo handling services.
In addition to giving the association’s constituents a voice in Washington, D.C., NATA membership offers a number of ancillary benefits including its annual Aviation Business & Legislative Conference, Congressional Reception and Air Charter Summit and its highly regarded Safety 1st 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.
Programs
NATA’s mission is to empower its members to be safe and successful aviation businesses. The NATA Safety 1st Program is a key component in achieving that mission. The Safety 1st Program provides safety related resources as well as the following online training programs that are utilized across the aviation industry:
NATA Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training (PLST) – This program has become the “standard” across the FBO industry for the initial and recurrent training of line service technicians. The PLST includes 8 online training modules and exams as well as hands-on training and practical exam components.
NATA Safety 1st Line Service Supervision & Training Management Online (Supervisor Online) – An FAA authorized Aviation Fueling Safety Course in Fire Safety the supervisor online provides the needed foundations in safety, leadership and training for a new supervisor
NATA Safety 1st Aircraft Flight Coordinator Training (AFCT) – This program provides basic knowledge in topics such as weather, airspace, aircraft weight and balance and much more for flight coordinators working in a Part 91, 135 or 91K environment
The NATA Safety 1st Program also operates the Ground Audit Standard and Registry. The standard was established to create a consistent operational safety standard for fixed base operators, airports, and other service providers while increasing the overall safety level of these operations.
In addition to its Safety 1st program, NATA also publishes the quarterly Aviation Business Journal, dedicated to the core businesses of NATA members, including: fuel and line services, aircraft charter and management, aircraft maintenance, flight training, and airline services.
Leadership
Thomas L Hendricks was named President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) in July 2012. Prior to joining NATA, he was senior vice president of safety, security and operations for Airlines for America (A4A), formerly the Air Transport Association, beginning in June 2010. In this role, he was responsible for the technical and operational functions of A4A and developing and shaping A4A member positions on flight operations, safety, engineering, air traffic management and security. In addition, he led A4A efforts in cargo, passenger facilitation, airport infrastructure and passenger service standards. He co-chaired both the ADS-B In Aviation Rulemaking Committee and the Working Subcommittee of the NextGen Advisory Committee. Additionally, Hendricks served on the Commercial Aviation Safety Team Executive Committee and the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing System Executive Board.
Prior to joining A4A, Hendricks oversaw day-to-day flight operations at Delta Air Lines as director of line operations. As a captain and air-transport-rated pilot, he also served as a chief pilot in Atlanta and represented Delta on several key industry groups. He has extensive domestic and international flying experience on the Boeing 767-300ER, DC-9, Boeing 727, Lockheed L-1011 Tri Star and MD-88 aircraft.
A retired Air Force Reserve colonel and career fighter pilot, Hendricks also served on active duty as a U.S. Navy officer on the USS MIDWAY (CV-41) and as an instructor pilot at the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School. A native of Fairfield, Ohio, Hendricks graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with secondary emphasis in Business Administration. While attending The Citadel, he was active in the college flying club, after having received his private pilot certificate in Hamilton, Ohio, in the mid-1970s.
William Deere, Senior Vice President for Government and External Affairs
Timothy Obitts, Senior Vice President for Business Development, Membership & General Counsel