Program areas at AIA
The civil aviation division addresses noncompetitive domestic and international civil aviation issues. Strategic direction for the division is provided by the ceo-level civil aviation leadership council (calc). The calc sets the direction for the civil aviation council (cac) on the Association's top civil aviation policy priorities. The cac then manages the tactical activities of the Association's committees, subcommittees and working groups on issues such as safely enabling operation of new entrants and deploying innovative industry technologies, aircraft noise and emissions impacts, chemical policy management, gaining certification efficiencies, ensuring continuous aviation safety, cybersecurity, and nextgen national air transportation system modernization. In addition, the cac coordinates with other aviation associations and safety agencies around the world. The division also guides the Association's input to the international coordinating council of Aerospace Industries associations (iccaia), providing meaningful sector input to the international civil aviation organization (icao).civil aviation's activities are organized around three primary objectives: (1) achieve civil aviation growth through regulatory reform, promotion of efficient regulatory practices, and securing strategic investment (2) shape and ensure a global framework to allow for integration of new technologies and new entrants (3) minimize aviation's environmental impact through development of smart domestic and international regulations and policies.
The technical operations division is responsible for technical program management, operations, and industrial-base issues as they affect the development, production and support of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and Aerospace systems. The technical operations council (toc) is comprised of industry's executive technical leadership addressing noncompetitive issues using a consensus process. It coordinates and develops policy, requirements, standardization, guidelines, and standards to enhance adoption of new technology, streamline business processes through interoperability, promote digital engineering, innovative approaches to sustainment, and data driven risk-based approaches to quality management.
The national security policy division is responsible for the implementation of national security policy-related goals stemming from the Association's strategic plan through the defense policy council and the acquisition policy council. The defense policy council is composed of senior representatives from the Association's corporate membership and is responsible for developing and promoting the Association positions on national security policy and defense budgets. The acquisition policy council is comprised of the senior corporate contracts vice presidents from the Association's corporate membership and is responsible for developing and promoting the Association positions on department of defense acquisition policy and business practices.
The space systems division is responsible for supporting the Association's space council and its primary committees, the national security space, civil space, and commercial space committees. Space systems works to develop industry positions on domestic and international space uses and uses these to educate congress, federal agencies, and other space stakeholders on the importance of space activities to our national security, economy, and international leadership. It also facilitates dialogue between the space industry and government decision makers to address critical issues, such as the health and competitiveness of the space industrial base, the state of space systems acquisitions, and the integral role space-based assets bear on the nation's infrastructure and national security.
The international affairs division promotes domestic and international policies and practices that help american companies compete in the global marketplace and cooperate with our allies and foreign partners. The international council promotes global trade as a means to enhance national and economic security and to help maintain the vitality of the industrial base and the Aerospace workforce. The division's key issues include, modernizing the u.s. Export control and defense trade system, monitoring trade negotiations affecting the Aerospace and defense industry, and supporting greater Aerospace and defense trade and cooperation in both existing and emerging foreign markets.
The legislative affairs division is responsible for developing and executing the legislative strategies agreed to by our member companies. Legislative affairs works with members of congress and staff, administration officials, and other organizations to advocate on behalf of the Association's positions on issues vital to the Aerospace and defense industry. To ensure that the voice of the Aerospace and defense industry is well represented in the public policy making process, the division prepares and presents congressional testimony, white papers and other policy papers, and organizes high-profile events conducted by the house and senate Aerospace caucuses. It also coordinates special events, such as election forums and congressional delegation visits to international air shows. Legislative affairs works in councils, committees, and working groups to support agendas developed by the Association's policy divisions. In addition, the workforce council is part of this division. It is responsible for implementing an overarching industry strategy for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem) education initiatives to develop the future of the Aerospace and defense workforce.