This article is based on an official announcement from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and background data regarding FAA survey methodologies.

NBAA Calls for Critical Member Participation in 48th Annual FAA Activity Survey

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has issued a strong call to action for its members to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 48th Annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey. As the primary instrument for gathering data on the general aviation (GA) fleet, the survey will cover operations conducted during the 2025 calendar year.

According to the association, the data collected in this survey is essential for accurately representing the industry’s size, safety record, and economic impact. The FAA uses these figures to determine funding allocations, assess infrastructure needs, and track safety trends across the National Airspace System. The survey is administered by the independent research firm Tetra Tech on behalf of the agency.

With the aviation landscape undergoing significant regulatory and operational shifts in 2025, industry leaders emphasize that accurate reporting is more critical than ever. The NBAA urges all selected participants, whether they flew hundreds of hours or none at all, to complete the questionnaire to ensure the general aviation sector is fairly represented in government statistics.

Why Accurate Data Matters for the Industry

The Annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is the only official source of information regarding the composition and activity of the U.S. general aviation fleet. The data derived from this survey directly influences high-stakes decisions made by regulators and legislators.

One of the most critical applications of this data is in safety analysis. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) relies on the “total hours flown” metric derived from this survey as the denominator when calculating fatal accident rates. If flight hours are underreported, accident rates may appear artificially high, potentially leading to stricter regulations or misdirected safety initiatives.

Mark Larsen, CAM, the NBAA’s director of safety and flight operations, highlighted the survey’s role in a statement regarding the initiative:

“The GA Survey is a vital tool for understanding business and general aviation. It offers key insights into operations and helps evaluate overall system safety. It provides a look into the operations of specific sectors, and ultimately is useful in understanding system safety performance for general aviation.”

Beyond safety, the data dictates how federal funding is distributed for airport improvements, runway extensions, and service upgrades. It also provides the economic metrics used by industry lobbyists to demonstrate the footprint of general aviation in terms of jobs and investment.

Survey Logistics and Methodology

The FAA has tasked Tetra Tech with contacting a statistically selected sample of aircraft owners. According to survey documentation, the sample includes approximately 80,000 aircraft, representing roughly 30% of the total U.S. registered fleet. However, to ensure precision in high-impact sectors, the FAA employs a 100% sampling rate for turbine-powered aircraft, rotorcraft, and aircraft based in Alaska.

Selected owners are notified via email or postcard and can submit their responses online or through a mailed questionnaire. The NBAA and FAA emphasize that all responses are confidential. The data is used solely for statistical purposes and is not shared with enforcement branches to regulate specific operators.

Reporting “Zero Hours” is Crucial

A common misconception among aircraft owners is that they should ignore the survey if their aircraft was inactive. The NBAA explicitly advises members to respond even if they did not fly in 2025, sold the aircraft, or kept it in maintenance for the duration of the year. “Zero hours” is a valid data point that helps the FAA establish an accurate baseline for the active fleet versus the total registered fleet.

2025: A Year of Transition

The 2025 reporting period captures a unique moment in aviation history, making this year’s data particularly valuable. The industry navigated several major shifts that may be reflected in the operational data.

Most notably, the FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule began taking effect in October 2025. This regulatory overhaul significantly altered certification, maintenance, and pilot training rules. The 2025 survey will provide the first set of operational data reflecting the early transition into this new environment.

Additionally, 2025 saw the introduction of stricter digital record-keeping requirements for maintenance compliance. These administrative changes, combined with lingering supply chain constraints, may have impacted operational tempos. Capturing these fluctuations is essential for the FAA to assess the real-world impact of its recent policy decisions.

AirPro News Analysis

The push for participation in the 48th Annual Survey comes at a pivotal time for general aviation advocacy. In our view, the transition to the MOSAIC regulatory framework represents one of the most significant changes to the airspace in decades. If the industry fails to provide accurate data for 2025, it risks allowing regulators to make long-term decisions based on incomplete assumptions about how these new rules are affecting flight activity.

Furthermore, as the turboprop market softened in 2025 while business jet deliveries rose, the disparity in flight hours between different sectors of aviation could widen. Accurate reporting from the “100% sample” groups, specifically turbine and rotorcraft operators, will be the primary defense against broad-brush regulations that do not account for the nuances of different mission profiles. We agree with the NBAA’s assessment: silence from operators is not neutral; it is a data gap that can be filled with unfavorable assumptions.

How to Participate

Members selected for the survey should look for invitations from Tetra Tech. Because these emails are sometimes filtered automatically, the NBAA recommends checking spam or junk folders. Questions regarding the survey or verification of participation status can be directed to Tetra Tech via their dedicated support line or email.

Sources:

• NBAA Official Announcement
• FAA General Aviation & Part 135 Activity Survey