Dozens of young business aviation leaders, hailing from all parts of the country, enthusiastically showcased the many ways business aviation supports citizens, companies and communities nationwide as part of the fourth annual NBAA Young Professionals (YoPro) Capitol Hill Fly-In on June 11. 

The YoPro delegation’s daylong grassroots initiative was held under the banner of CLIMBING. FAST., an industry advocacy campaign to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about business aviation’s many societal benefits. The branded, muti-platform program, launched in 2023, is supported by an international coalition of 15 leading aviation organizations.

In scores of meetings with House and Senate lawmakers, fly-in participants highlighted the industry’s essential role in supporting 1.3 million jobs and $340 billion in economic output in the U.S., as well as serving as an innovation incubator – including for new technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) – and supporting humanitarian efforts with 15,000 flights yearly. 

Those benefits, along with business aviation’s role in helping companies of all sizes succeed, and connecting communities with little to no commercial airline service are among the key pillars in the CLIMBING. FAST. platform.

Delegation members also discussed the sector’s highest priorities on the current policy landscape, including the industry-government effort to ensure air traffic control (ATC) transformation; bipartisan proposals for promoting the production, availability and use of sustainable aviation fuels; and legislation to address the pressing need to grow the next generation of aviation leaders, in part through policies by reducing barriers to entry for aspiring professionals.

 “It’s incredibly important for young professionals to engage in advocacy,” said Julia Harrington, NBAA YoPro Council co-chair and lead captain for Axis Jet. “Having our voices heard on Capitol Hill is a very powerful way to spread our message. An exciting part of the NBAA Young Professionals Council’s focus in recent years has been to fully develop and grow the fly-in into something truly remarkable, and it is inspiring to see that vision taking shape.”

First-time YoPro fly-in participant Raphael Valor, with jetAVIVA, said the event provides an unmatched opportunity to underscore the industry’s engagement from people at all points in their careers, and from all parts of the country. “I saw this group of young professionals that are passionate about aviation, and I want to be a part of that,” he said. 

NBAA Senior Vice President Kristie Greco Johnson applauded the YoPros for their dedication to the fly-in, and the participants’ effectiveness as industry ambassadors in Washington. “This year’s fly-in has again made clear that NBAA’s Young Professionals are a very powerful asset to NBAA and the business aviation community,” she said. “The energy and passion they bring to their representatives leaves an indelible impression with elected officials about the importance of this industry, and the remarkable caliber of the people in it. We look forward to continuing to expand on this unique and impactful program in the years ahead.”

NBAA YoPros met with the following members of Congress or their staff: 

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-03-AZ)
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-03-OH)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-05-OK)
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC)
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-16-FL)
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA-41)
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-01-GA)
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-06-AZ)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AL)
Rep. Jeff Crank (R-05-CO)
Rep. Jason Crow (D-06-CO)
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-10-CA)
Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-03-OR)
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-08-CO)
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
Rep. Mike Flood (R-01-NE)
Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL-18)
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-10-FL)
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-12-TX)
Rep. Al Green (D-09-TX)
Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-08-FL)
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-04-MI)
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-38-TX)
Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH)
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Rep. Frank Lucas (OK-03)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Rep. Lucy McBath (R-06-GA)
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA)
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-07-GA)
Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-03-KY)
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-07-CA)
Rep. Rob Menendez (D-08-NJ)
Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL)
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH)
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-01-NH)
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-08-MD)
Rep. Luis Rivas (D-29-CA)
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-27-FL)
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-10-IL)
Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT)
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
Rep. Peter Stauber (R-08-MN)
Rep. David Taylor (R-02-OH)
Rep. Shri Thanedor (D-13-MI)
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Rep. Nikema Williams (D-05-GA)
Rep. Steve Womack (R-03-AR)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)