GA advocate Ed Bolen dies

Bolen, 66, stepped down from day-to-day activities at NBAA in September as he was seeking treatment for cancer. He resigned in November as his condition worsened.

A native Kansan and private pilot, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Kansas and later graduated from Tulane University School of Law. He also held a Master of Law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Early in his career he was the legislative director for U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.), where he was instrumental in helping to pass the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. He also served as general counsel for what is now the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Bolen began his career in aviation associations in 1995 when he joined the General Aviation Manufacturers Association as senior vice president and general counsel. He became president and CEO of GAMA in 1996. Eight years later, in 2004, he became president and CEO of NBAA.

Bolen was a devoted advocate for business aviation, leading coalitions to fend off efforts to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system; promoting the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel; working to educate communities about the benefits of business aviation and airports; and supporting workforce development programs to increase the number of pilots, mechanics, and other aviation professionals.

Another formidable GA advocate, former AOPA President Mark Baker, described Bolen as a “top shelf guy. He’s a guy I enjoyed working with a lot. We agreed on 98 percent of issues and always found ways to work together for the benefit of all of general aviation.”

“Business aviation is an immeasurably stronger, safer, more dynamic industry because of Ed’s unwavering commitment,” said John Witzig, chair of NBAA’s board of directors, upon the announcement of Bolen’s retirement. “We have all soared higher and gone farther, driven by the power of his vision.”

AOPA acting Co-President Katie Pribyl expressed similar thoughts upon learning about Bolen’s death. “Ed was one of the kindest people in this business, and one of the most effective,” Pribyl said. “He led NBAA, but he never lost sight of the pilot flying a Cessna 172 on a Saturday morning. When AOPA needed a partner, Ed was always there, and our members are better off for the fights he took on with us. He understood that every pilot, whether they fly for business or for fun, depends on the same airports, the same airspace, and the same air traffic system, and he worked to protect all of it. We’ve lost a dear friend, and general aviation has lost one of its finest advocates.”

On Capitol Hill, Bolen could engage legislators on both sides of the aisle. President Bill Clinton nominated him and the U.S. Senate confirmed him as a member of the Management Advisory Council to the FAA. He chaired the council from 2000 to 2004. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him to serve as a member of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry.

Bolen was the former chair of RTCA Inc., formerly the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, and an inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation as well as the San Diego Air and Space Museum’s International Aviation Hall of Fame. On November 10, Bolen was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. Bolen was a regular participant in the Special Olympics Airlift, which engages business jet owners from around the country to fly athletes to and from the USA Games every four years. Bolen was on hand to greet the athletes on their arrival at the events.

Always friendly and approachable, Bolen could work a room better than any politician, moving seamlessly from speaking to an aviation journalist to a member of Congress and then to the CEO, CFO, or chief pilot of a Fortune 100 company. And he gave his full attention to each person he spoke to. He also had a gift for remembering names and personal details about everyone he met. And being inquisitive, he would ask about your family by name the next time you met.

Besides being a leading GA advocate, Bolen was an expert orator. I’ve heard him speak to crowds of thousands at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition general sessions, at workforce development programs, testifying on Capitol Hill, and addressing international aviation gatherings. He always spoke with authority, without notes or prompters, no hesitations or stumbling, always on target and to the point.

NBAA surprised me with the David W. Ewald Platinum Wing Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism at the 2023 NBAA convention media breakfast. Bolen introduced me to the crowd, documenting my long career, including airplanes I’m type rated in. He described various articles I’ve written, and people I have profiled—all without notes or hesitation. I was impressed and asked him afterward how he does all that without notes. He flashed a confused face and, with a furrowed brow, said, “I’ve known you for more than 25 years. We’re friends. Of course I know all that about you.” That’s the Ed Bolen I will remember.

Bolen is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and sons Robert and John.

The NBAA board of directors began a search for a replacement upon the announcement of Bolen's retirement in November, and appointed Dan Hubbard as acting CEO and senior vice president of communications.