Associations thanks Rep. Sam Graves for his tireless service to
general aviation

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) have expressed their gratitude to longtime congressional leader and tireless general aviation advocate Rep. Sam Graves (R-06-MO), following his announcement that he will not seek reelection to a 14th term in the US House of Representatives.

Graves is chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, on which he has served since he was first elected to Congress in 2001. He has long championed legislation fostering innovation, development and safety across the nation’s aviation industry.

“Sam Graves deserves to be considered one of the most effective and consequential chairs in the history of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said NBAA President and CEO, Ed Bolen

To illustrate his point, Bolen noted several legislative accomplishments included in an overall record of remarkable policy achievements:

1. Graves led the passage of the landmark FAA Reauthorization Bill of 2024 with nearly unanimous bipartisan support in the House, directly resulting from his leadership as T&I Committee chair, and the highly effective working relationship he fostered with the committee’s Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-02-WA).

2. In the aftermath of the tragic accident between an airliner and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in 2025, Graves was instrumental in providing $12.5 billion as a critical first step in the work to build a Brand New Air Traffic Control System – a top priority for government and industry

3. Just this week, the T&I Committee passed the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, legislation designed to implement the recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board related to the 2025 midair collision.

“Throughout his tenure, Chairman Graves has been a workhorse rather than a show horse,” Bolen said, noting his leadership in several posts. In 2009, he led the establishment of the House General Aviation Caucus since 2009, and was named caucus co-chair in 2011. Graves has also served as chair of the House Small Business Committee.

James Viola, GAMA president and CEO, said: “Chairman Graves has been a passionate champion for general aviation since first coming to Congress. GAMA is truly grateful for his over two decades of leadership and advocacy for the general aviation industry, which has brought about the first ever general aviation title within an FAA reauthorization bill, the downpayment for a new air traffic system, funding for workforce development initiatives and the advancement of aviation safety, infrastructure and innovation. Chairman Graves made bipartisanship a priority for the committee’s work and has always had an incredible staff to help guide the direction of important aviation related legislation.

"On behalf of the entire GAMA membership, I would like to thank and commend Chairman Graves for his service, hard work, vision, passion, expertise and willingness to dive deep into aviation issues. We wish him and his family all the best – blue skies and tailwinds.”

Graves is an accomplished GA pilot who frequently performs at events around the country, including the annual Wingnuts Flying Circus Airshow and Fly-In, which he hosts in his hometown of Tarkio, MO. He has also been a frequent participant and speaker at NBAA events, including the 2024 and 2025 editions of NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

“In his 25 years representing Missouri’s 6th district, Sam has reached across the aisle to make Congress and our country better,” concluded Bolen. “We thank him for his dedication to public service, including his indelible contributions in preserving America’s global leadership in aviation.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 2nd April 2026 | Issue #836