NBAA Salutes Doug Carr for Decades of Service as Business Aviation’s Champion

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has expressed its gratitude to Doug Carr, Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, Sustainability, and International Operations, who recently announced his decision to retire at the end of August after 28 years of dedicated service to NBAA and the business aviation community.

“Doug has been a rock upon which NBAA has depended for nearly three decades,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Through his tireless work with the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and NBAA’s International Committee, his pivotal role in the formation of NBAA’s Security Council after 9/11, his leadership on countless safety initiatives with NBAA’s committees and the FAA that helped save lives, and his indefatigable promotion of best practices in business aviation operations, Doug has made an indelible mark on NBAA and the entire business aviation industry. He will be greatly missed.”

A Career of Leadership and Impact

Carr joined NBAA in April 1998 as manager of domestic operations. Over the years, he was promoted to manager of safety and operations, director of government affairs, and vice president of regulatory and international affairs. His expanding portfolio of responsibilities made him NBAA’s key liaison with several critical agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and others.

During his tenure, Carr led or participated in several landmark aviation rulemaking and policy efforts. He played a pivotal role in the FAA’s Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), which developed the legal framework for fractional aircraft ownership in the U.S., later adopted as a model by other global regulators. He also helped devise the DCA Access Standard Security Program, which restored business aviation access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) after 9/11.

Carr was instrumental in ensuring the TSA addressed industry concerns about the proposed Large Aircraft Security Program and helped establish CBP’s business aviation pre-clearance program at Shannon Airport (EINN) in Ireland. He also contributed to the development of a workable Safety Management System program for business aviation in the U.S. and helped establish the International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations.

Contributions During COVID and International Advocacy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carr led efforts with the FAA to keep business aviation operational despite restrictions on face-to-face recurrent training and medical certifications. He also worked to ensure fair treatment of business aviation as international travel restrictions reduced mission options.

Internationally, Carr represented business aviation interests at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and contributed to rulemaking and policy efforts at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Civil Aviation Administration of Singapore, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China, among other aviation authorities.

Carr has served as corporate secretary for IBAC and as chair of the NGPA. His leadership and expertise have left a lasting legacy in the business aviation industry.

Background and Achievements

Carr is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management and an associate’s degree in aviation flight. Prior to college, he served six years in the U.S. Navy. Before joining NBAA, Carr worked at the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) as a specialist in government and industry affairs.

Carr is a commercial, multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot and a certificated flight instructor, further underscoring his deep connection to aviation.