NATA Welcomes Aviation Safety Veteran Chris Baum to Its Regulatory Team

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is pleased to announce that Chris Baum, industry veteran and former military aviator, has joined NATA’s regulatory team as Senior Advisor, specializing in general aviation business security issues, effective July 1st.

“Chris brings over 40 years of industry experience, including nearly two decades interacting with Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, industry organizations and international governmental entities. His addition to our regulatory team will enhance the association’s expertise on aviation security challenges and opportunities,” stated NATA President Marty Hiller. Chris Baum joins John McGraw, NATA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs; Megan Eisenstein Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs; and fellow Senior Advisors Jacqueline Rosser (Air Charter) and Carol Giles (Maintenance). “We are happy to welcome Chris, as his extensive aviation background will allow NATA to better represent and educate our member companies and the entire general aviation business community,” Hiller added.

Baum is currently the President of Charlie Bravo AeroSafety, LLC, following a distinguished aviation career, where he served in key executive roles.

From 1996-2015, Baum was a key member of the Air Line Pilots Association, International’s Engineering and Air Safety Department, holding senior-level positions and participating in various industry and government groups — including Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics’ UAS Steering Committee, Program Management and Tactical Operations Committees; the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Commercial Aviation Safety Team; Flight Safety Foundation International Advisory Committee and others. Baum’s experience spans into general aviation, airline and military operations; safety programs and accident investigation; airspace planning; technical training; and regulatory and legislative affairs — both domestic and international.

Prior to joining ALPA, Baum’s 23-year military career began as a pilot, instructor and flight examiner, and included positions at HQ Strategic Air Command and HQ USAF, where he last served as Chief of the Airspace Management Division – Flight Standards Agency. Here, Chris oversaw more than 1,500 airspace areas and assisted in the management of a 65-person staff responsible for worldwide air traffic control and airfield operations.

Baum has over 4,000 flight and simulator hours and holds a commercial pilot’s license with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Houston Baptist University and Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan.