Aerospace Industries Association

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is governed by a board of governors that meets twice a year and consists of senior representatives of member companies at the c-suite level, and an executive committee that meets more frequently. A hallmark of AIA is that it receives its policy guidance from the direct involvement of CEO-level officers of companies of all sizes across all levels of our industry. The government frequently seeks advice from AIA on issues, and AIA provides a forum for government and industry representatives to exchange views and resolve problems on non-competitive matters related to aerospace and defense.[2]

Founded in 1919 with the purpose of representing the American aviation industry, AIA has since expanded the scope of that vision with technological advance in aerospace. Today, on behalf of its more than 340 member companies, AIA advocates for aerospace and defense issues ranging from technical workforce policy to space exploration. Notable recurring topics of advocacy include "... robust federal budgets for aerospace and defense, a strong U.S. industrial base, defense modernization, and an efficient acquisition system." [3]

This vision is reflected in AIA's mission statement, which states

The Aerospace Industries Association is the collective voice of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry. We advocate for policies and responsible budgets that keep our country strong, bolster our capacity to innovate and spur our economic growth.[4]

Another AIA advocacy endeavor is National Aerospace Week, an event that celebrates aerospace in the United States. In 2010, National Aerospace Week was established under a resolution passed by both houses of the U.S. Congress, in conjunction with AIA. This event has been recognized by NASA[5] and the U.S. Department of Commerce.[6]

In late 2011, AIA launched the Second to None federal budget education campaign to inform the general public and elected officials about the importance of the aerospace and defense industry and provide answers to what the predicted impacts of federal budget cuts, commonly known as sequestration, will have on the aerospace and defense industry.[7] The campaign received significant media attention in 2012 for its efforts and competed as a finalist in 2012 for PRWeek Awards 2013's Public Affairs Campaign of the Year.[8]

The America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is an annual American model rocketry competition for students in grades seven to 12 sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry.[9] Co-sponsors include NASA, United States Department of Defense, the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Civil Air Patrol.[10] The event receives local and national media coverage and draws well-known representatives of the Defense Department, NASA, the FAA, and other government agencies. Past National Fly-Offs have been attended by United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Rocket Boys author Homer Hickam, former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, and former NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden.[11]

In the third quarter of 2011, the group spent $886,814 on lobbying Congress, according to its filing with the House Clerk's office. In the same quarter of 2010, it spent $213,684.[12]

In October 2017, AIA's membership was composed of 346 member companies. This diverse group of businesses includes large aerospace and defense companies and small businesses alike. Membership is divided into full and associate membership.[13]

One of AIA's key membership sources is its Supplier Management Council (SMC). The SMC is a unique, non-attributional forum where senior supply chain representatives from system integrators and manufacturers tackle issues that impact the aerospace and defense supply chain. Open to both Full Members and Associate Members, the Council's mission is to integrate and focus the collective capabilities of the supply chain, at every level, to influence the strategies, policies, and regulations that enable the U.S. aerospace and defense industry to successfully compete in the global market, be profitable, and strengthen the U.S. position as the world leader.[14]

The US aerospace industry contributed $147 billion in export sales to the economy in 2016.[15] This industry supported almost 1.7 million jobs in 2015. Aerospace manufacturing has two major segments, namely the commercial and the defense. The commercial segment constitutes roughly 60% of the industry. The defense segment caters to US government agencies, such as the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Aerospace and Space Administration (NASA).[16]

• The America Rocketry Challenge
• National Aerospace Week

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aerospace Industries Association.

• AIA website