Sen. Nelson To Receive NBAA Meritorious Service Award
The award, NBAA's highest honor, is recognizing Nelson for his "unwavering support for general aviation over...many years."

NBAA is presenting its highest honor, the Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla). Nelson, who will receive the award during the association’s 2016 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition next month in Orlando, Florida. The senator is being recognized for his “unwavering support for general aviation over the many years he has served in both the U.S. Senate and House,” NBAA said.


Nelson has served in the Senate since January 2001 and currently is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee. He also served in the U.S. House from 1979 to 1990 and the Florida state legislature from 1973 to 1978.


NBAA credits Nelson for remaining an outspoken advocate for business aviation during his time in Congress, including continually citing its economic importance to Florida and the nation.


Nelson in 2007 was instrumental in blocking a measure to impose new user fees and over the past year has continued to reject attempts to create a separate user-funded air traffic control organization. At the same time, he co-sponsored an FAA reauthorization bill and pushed forward a number of key aviation priorities, NBAA said.


“Sen. Nelson is a tireless champion for aviation and aerospace, especially general aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “He understands and shares our concerns over proposals for privatizing ATC and funding it with user fees.”