The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is continuing to evolve its membership with a handful of former associate members coming on board in a new “associate member full” category, along with a number of other new “full” and “associate” members that are joining the association for the first time. In all, the 14 companies represent the largest ever cache of new membership at GAMA at one time and further extend the breadth and scope of its membership activities. The companies represent a variety of businesses, from aircraft manufacturers and services providers to a host of companies involved in electric, hybrid, and eVTOL activities. With the additions, GAMA’s membership has grown to encompass 126 companies located in 15 countries and five continents.
The full membership category essentially comprises members that have achieved a type certificate (TC) and supports TCs. The associate membership category is designed for companies that have not yet achieved a TC, and largely is made up of members of GAMA’s Electric Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC). But GAMA spokeswoman Sarah McCann noted that several associate members had sought deeper engagement with the association and added the creation of the new associate member full category not only allowed for fuller involvement of these companies but also brings the scope of the membership together.
“With the addition of our associate member full category, GAMA will be able to facilitate larger players in the simplified vehicle operation and electric and hybrid arenas,” said Phil Straub, GAMA chairman and Garmin Aviation executive v-p and managing director. “We look forward to continuing to expand GAMA’s membership to ensure the association represents the full breadth and depth of the industry.”
The new “full members” are Prague-based business jet operator and services provider ABS Jets; Signature Flight Support, along with its TechnicAir and recently acquired Epic Fuels; and Viking Air, which produces the Series 400 Twin Otter.
The new “associate members full” members include Eviation, an Israeli startup developing an electric-powered aircraft; Icon Aircraft, a light-sport aircraft producer; Joby Aviation, which is developing electric aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) designs; Kitty Hawk, which recently merged with Zee.Aero and created the Kitty Hawk Flyer all-electric aircraft designed to operate over water; Terrafugia, developer of the flying car; and Uber, which aims to develop a network of urban electric aircraft transportation.
The newest associate members, meanwhile, include Alakai Technologies, which is planning to build air mobility vehicles for zero-emission eVTOLs; Faraday Aerospace, a new company that is designing electric propulsion systems; Karem Aircraft, which produces manned and unmanned advanced fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft; MagniX, which also is designing electric propulsion units; and, Xwing, which is developing technologies for autonomous aircraft.