![]()
Houston is a growing aviation hub and a new networking platform has been built for the business aviation industry after the former group dissolved during the pandemic. The South Texas Business Aviation Association (STXBAA) will serve the needs of the growing bizav market.
VP of managed aircraft sales at Executive Jet Management Jill Case felt the area needed a new platform after the dissolution of the Houston Regional Aviation Professionals. With help from the NBAA Southwest Central Regional Director Steve Hadley and her other contacts, Case rebranded the former group as the STXBAA and the new organization will cover Houston, San Antonio and Austin.
The nine-person board has based the group at the Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and had used the North Texas Business Aviation Association has a model for the new beginning for southern and central Texas bizav.
"We want to share best practices and do some good for the community as we raise awareness for our industry," Case said. "We also want to get youth involved because we know a big issue right now is the pilot shortage and the maintenance tech shortage. Creating a shared experience for all of us - it's really important to me."
The non-profit was created to provide an educational, advocational and social platform for companies in southern Texas that own or operate aircraft as a business tool and companies servicing business aircraft. The group will also provide support to the central Texas area.
Case felt the group would only work with support from other business aviation professionals.STXBAA membership levels
"I just went through my contact list in the South Texas region and found a couple of other people that I knew in positions that sell to people or come to these airports or have some sort of interaction in the South Texas region," she said.
The official launch for STXBAA is scheduled for March 23 at Hobby's Million Air facility. A meet-and-greet will take place on June 8 in San Antonio. The group plans to provide support for the current community as well as outreach through scholarships and fundraising.
Find out how to join STXBAA…