Aviation Organizations

                There are multiple professional organizations in the aviation industry. As a future manager, the organizations that are important to belong to when I’m employed would be the AAAE (American Association of Airport Executives) and the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association). 

                The AAAE represents airport managers at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. Their mission is to provide professional development, and advocacy in regulatory affairs and security (AAAE, n.d.). There are several ways in which the AAAE provides professional development. One way is through their accreditation/certification. There are currently five certificates under the program such as AAE (Accredited Airport Executive), Airport Security Coordinator, and etc. (AAAE, n.d.). Another way the AAAE provide professional development is through its annual conference in which they meet and discuss various topics concerning airports. Training is also provided through AAAE. Training is offered either online or on-site. Courses include Basic-Advanced ASOS (Airport Safety Operations Specialist Schools) and Airport Certified Employee (AAAE, n.d.). They also advocate regarding regulatory affairs on behalf of the nation’s airports as well as security (AAAE, n.d.).

                The NBAA represents aviation businesses that rely on general aviation aircraft. Their mission is to help businesses become more efficient, productive, and successful (NBAA, n.d.). The way the NBAA helps aviation businesses is through professional development, advocacy in regulatory affairs, and provide information regarding aircraft operations (NBAA, n.d.). The NBAA provides members with certification through its Certified Aviation Manager Program by meeting the application requirements and passing the exam. There is also on-demand education which consists of various online courses. The NBAA also advocates in regulatory affairs that affect aviation businesses (NBAA, n.d.). In addition, they also provide information regarding aircraft operations. Topics include security, Part 125 and 135 operations, airspace, maintenance, and etc. (NBAA, n.d.). They also advocate on behalf of aviation businesses regarding regulatory affairs (NBAA, n.d.).

                It is important for me to belong in these two organizations because both of these organizations provide certification for managers as well as training for those in a management position which help only help further my career either in airport management or working in an FBO.

References 

American Association of Airport Executives. (n.d.). About AAAE. In American Association of Airport Executives. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from http://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMBR/About_AAAE/AAAEMemberResponsive/About_AAAE/About_AAAE.aspx?hkey=17fa23bc-bfe6-4589-9c8b-c362c1e7c303

American Association of Airport Executives. (n.d.). Advocacy. In American Association of Airport Executives. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMBR/Advocacy/AAAEMemberResponsive/Advocacy/Advocacy.aspx

American Association of Airport Executives. (n.d.). Professional development. In American Association of Airport Executives. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from http://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMBR/PD/AAAEMemberResponsive/PD/PD.aspx?hkey=f0e6f1a1-e838-46c3-94e5-cd4fd05daeb7

National Business Aviation Organization. (n.d.). About NBAA. In National Business Aviation Organization. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.nbaa.org/about/

National Business Aviation Association. (n.d.). Advocacy. In National Business Aviation Association. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/

National Business Aviation Organization. (n.d.). Aircraft operations. In National Business Aviation Organization. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.nbaa.org/ops/

National Business Aviation Organization. (n.d.). Professional development. In National Business Aviation Organization. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.nbaa.org/prodev/

Aviation Emissions

Aviation has great impact on the world’s carbon emissions. Carbon emissions is created when jet fuel is burned. When jet fuel is ignited, the carbon in the fuel is released ad bonds with the oxygen in the air forming carbon dioxide. Along with carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxides, sulphate, and soot are also released into air when jet fuel is burned (David Suzuki Foundation, 2014).  Transportation is the second biggest contributor of carbon emissions in the United States, the energy industry is the first. Transportation makes up about 34% of carbon emissions and within that 34%, aviation makes up for nearly 9% of carbon emissions (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, n.d.). The only other source of carbon emissions that is greater than aviation are vehicles. Medium and heavy-duty vehicles produce 23%, of emissions and light-duty vehicles produces 60% of emissions (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, n.d.). By 2050, aviation could generate up to 43 gigatonnes of emissions consuming 5% of the world’s carbon budget, the United States itself is responsible for generating for nearly half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). While the burning of jet fuel is the most obvious way aviation contributes to the release of carbon emissions, it is not the only way. Contrails are fumes of exhaust that are released when an aircraft is flying at higher altitudes which also have an impact on emissions. As contrails are formed, they essentially trap heat, which contributes to global warming (David Suzuki Foundation, 2014).

                Under the proposed reduction plan, participation is voluntary and will only affect international flights. The first stage which will take place between 2021 to 2023 will consists of those who voluntarily participate. There will be a review conducted in 2022 to determine if any changes are needed before applying the plan to other countries. Between 2024 to 2026, the first implementation phase will be initiated. Between 2027 to 2035, the second phase will be implemented which includes most States (Aviation Benefits, n.d.). The plan states that airlines that voluntary participate in the reduction plan must reduce the amount of emissions being released and may purchase carbon credit (Lampert, 2016).

                 The Paris Agreement an agreement in which signed nations pledge to reduce their carbon footprint over the next 10 to 15 years (Romm, 2016). President-elect Trump has stated in his campaign that he plans to pull the U.S from the Paris Agreement. Instead, Trump wants the U.S to invest in coal, oil, and natural gas which would release more emissions into the atmosphere (Doyle & Davis, 2016). I do not believe that it will adversely affect the aviation industry that much. Aviation business like Rolls-Royce, Embraer, Boeing, and etc. are embracing corporate social responsibility. Manufacturers are always trying to improve their product by building more efficient jets and engines that used less fuel, thus reducing the amount of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere. 

                I believe that all industries should do whatever they can to lower carbon emissions. Allowing carbon emissions to increase will cause irreparable harm to the planet. The consequences of climate change are well known and governments and businesses need to acknowledge and do what is right to lessen those consequences. The reduction plan that ICAO is proposing in not good enough because it allows airlines to purchase carbon credit which is essentially allows companies to pollute as long as they have the money to purchase credit.  

References

Aviation Benefits. (n.d.). A proposal from ICAO. In Aviation Benefits. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://aviationbenefits.org/blog/2016/04/a-proposal-from-icao/

Center for Biological Diversity. (n.d.). Airplane emissions. In Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/climate_law_institute/transportation_and_global_warming/airplane_emissions/

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (n.d.). Reducing carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft. In Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://www.c2es.org/federal/executive/epa/reducing-aircraft-carbon-emissions

David Suzuki Foundation. (2014). Air travel and climate change. In David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/science/climate-change-basics/air-travel-and-climate-change/

Doyle, A., & Davis, M. (2016, November 9). Trump win boosts coal, hits renewable stocks. In Reuters. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-climatechange-idUSKBN1342E0

Lampert, A. (2016, August 2). Exclusive: U.N. aviation emissions pact may be voluntary at first -sources. In Reuters. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINKCN10D22N?irpc=932

Romm, J. (2016, November 17). The Paris agreement is an incredible deal for the U.S. Trump would be foolish to cancel it. In ThinkProgress. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from https://thinkprogress.org/trump-terrible-deal-maker-climate-83ea3c16f68a#.f3bj2b4hz