Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, GAMA represents the interests of its members before the United States Congress, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal and state government agencies directly concerned with the air transportation system. It also maintains close working relationships with other associations representing various facets of the aviation community. Through its public information and education programs, GAMA promotes better understanding of the air transportation environment and the important role general aviation plays in the national economy and in serving America's transportation needs. General aviation exports one-third of its production and leads the world in development of new technology aircraft. Approximately 70 percent of all the hours flown by general aviation aircraft are for business and commercial purposes.
Most people learn to fly in a general aviation aircraft.
The strength and success of GAMA comes from the quality of its people. GAMA's staff consists of proven leaders and achievers who have the respect of industry, the federal government, and regulators from around the world. Now in his fifth year as President of GAMA, Ed Bolen is a recognized leader in the general aviation community. Well respected on Capitol Hill, Ed is asked to testify at nearly every congressional hearing affecting general aviation. In 2000, Ed was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve a two-year term as a member of the Management Advisory Council to the Federal Aviation Administration.