Book excerpt: Business aviation is one of America’s most important yet least understood industries. Most organizations (about 85%) operating business aircraft are small and medium-size enterprises. They include a wide range of organizations: state governments, universities, charitable organizations, and all types of businesses. While the organizations that rely on business aviation are varied, they all have one thing in common: the need for fast, flexible, safe, and secure access to destinations worldwide. Many small U.S. businesses rely on business aviation. They are located in markets where the airlines have reduced or eliminated service, making business aviation an important connection to the rest of the world. Business aviation fosters efficiency and productivity, and is essential in an intensely competitive global marketplace. This textbook, Practical Applications in Business Aviation Management, systematically examines business aviation and provides you with a complete understanding of one of America’s most dynamic industries. In this comprehensive guide to business aviation management, authors James R. Cannon and Franklin D. Richey provide in-depth and useful information on all aspects of managing a corporate aviation program. The book begins with a brief look at the history of business aviation and its important role in the aviation industry. It then moves on to focus on the practical issues facing all corporate aviation programs, such as: Regulatory compliance Administrative issues Aircraft and facility maintenance Finances and budgeting Aircraft selection and acquisition Standard operating procedures International operations Human resource management Training Communication and teambuilding Safety and security And much more The book also includes a foreword by Ed Bolen, the President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association. It is an essential tool for students and professionals who need comprehensive, accurate, and practical information on managing a corporate aviation program.