Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Application
The application is divided into seven areas:
- Education
- Work Experience
- Licensing & Certification
- Continuing Education
- Industry Involvement
- 500 Word Essay
- Letters of Recommendation
Qualification to take the exam is based on a combination of education, work experience and industry involvement. To determine whether they qualify for the CAM Exam, each applicant must, using the provided point system, reach a total of at least 100 points in order to qualify to take the exam. Each application also must include a 500 word essay and two letters of recommendation.
Education
Associate Degree – 25 points
Bachelors Degree – 35 points
Graduate Degree – 45 points
Maximum points allowed from formal education are 45 points, no matter how many degrees awarded. A maximum of 35 points for a bachelor’s degree is allowed.
Work Experience
Corporate/Business Aviation Experience Minimums
A minimum of two years experience in some facet of business aviation is required. Experience must be in one of the following categories: corporate aviation, aviation management company, aircraft fractional ownership company, commercial Part 135, charter, air taxi and other flight department operations.
Points are awarded based upon experience in various positions. To earn points for a position, an applicant must have worked in the position a minimum of six months. The maximum points allowed for work experience is 90 points. Below are the CAM Program definitions for six categories of work experience.
Work Experience Categories
Category A. Aviation Department Senior Manager:
The person solely responsible for the entire aviation department operations, including safety, administration, legal, fiscal, maintenance, flight, scheduling and customer service. Supervises all department personnel. Establishes and administers policies, procedures and practices consistent with industry standards and all applicable Federal, state, local and company regulations.
Examples include:
- director of corporate aviation
- director of flight operations
- flight department manager
Points awarded: 10 points per full year at position. (Must be in that position for at least six months before credit is awarded.)
Category B. Aviation Department Manager:
The person responsible for a major division within a flight department, i.e., flight operations or maintenance. In that role supervises at least four people directly in administrative, operational, budgetary and personnel control of this flight department division.
Examples include:
- director of operations
- director of maintenance
- chief pilot
- chief of maintenance
- military squadron commander
Points awarded: Eight points per full year at position. (Must be in that position for at least six months before credit is awarded.)
Category C. Aviation Department Supervisor
Someone who provides management, leadership and direct supervision of assigned personnel on a full-time basis. Creates, recommends and administers policies and procedures affecting specific areas of flight department operations. In this role supervises at least one person directly.
Examples include:
- manager of flight operations
- manager of maintenance
- manager of scheduling
- manager of administration
- assistant chief pilot
- manager of flight attendants
Points awarded: Six points per full year at position. (Must be in that position for at least six months before credit is awarded.)
Category D. Aviation Operations:
Functions as individual project manager with minimum responsibilities for subordinates. Provides information, support and situational management in specific areas of the flight department.
Examples include:
- safety officer
- training manager
- security manager
- financial planner
- line captain
- maintenance technician
- flight attendant
- independent contractor
- consultant
- FBO Manager
Points awarded: Four points per full year at position. (Must be in that position for at least six months before credit is awarded.)
Category E. Non-Aviation Management Experience
Participation and employment in areas that require management/supervision of personnel within a given company. In this role supervises at least four people directly.
Examples include:
- project manager
- team chief
Points awarded: Four points per full year at position. (Must be in that position for at least six months before credit is awarded.)
Category F. Other Aviation Experience
Performs the duties and responsibilities as needed for the aviation organization.
Examples include:
- first officer (copilot)
- repairman or line technician
- administrative support
Points awarded: Four points per full year at position. (Must be in that position for at least six months before credit is awarded.)
Maximum points allowed for work experience is 90 points.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required to apply for the exam. These letters should be from experienced aviation managers involved in business aviation. These letters will not be evaluated for content, but they are considered evidence of the applicant’s interest, dedication and involvement in the field of business aviation.
Essay Question
For purposes of assessing communication skills, each applicant is required to complete and submit a typed, 500-word, double-spaced essay. In the essay, the applicant should describe his or her business aviation career goals and how certification as a CAM will further these goals. Although the essays are not graded, NBAA reserves the right to accept or reject an application for any reason, including a determination that the essay does not demonstrate adequate ability to communicate with others. If rejected, an applicant may later reapply to take the exam.
