by Citation Jet Pilots and CJP Safety & Education Foundation CEO Rob Balzano
CJP is excited to welcome Textron Aviation’s Premier jet owner-pilots as full owner-members. We have much in common with this group and can benefit significantly from the expanded membership. It is no revelation that the advantages we all enjoy as single-pilot operators are fragile and under the constant eye and scrutiny of regulators.
CJP has made tremendous strides in safety since the establishment of the Safety & Education Foundation, the introduction of our Safe to Land(R) program, our CJP FOQA(SM) program and our industry-leading Gold Standard Safety Award (GSSA.)
A by-product of these significant safety initiatives is our members’ fantastic safety record compared to other Citation operators and general aviation at large. Insurance underwriters are also starting to take notice, and we will continue the momentum gained on that front.
As we continue to grow in size and influence in the aviation industry, we must continue to evolve and leverage our efforts for the greater good and increased safety of the single-pilot jet operators and, in particular, the Premier owner-pilots that share common aircraft OEMs like Textron, Collins (it has ProLine 21) and Williams (much like our 525 Citations.)
To that end, we will welcome the Premier jet owners to CJP as full owner-members. Both Citation and Premier owners share a common lineage with Textron, value safety, desire to reduce insurance premiums and influence insurability, require training and continued education, and share similar advocacy issues with OEMs. This inclusion will make CJP even better and more influential as an owner-pilot association.
This Premier initiative will create opportunities for increased membership, additional partnerships, a more robust exchange of techniques and experiences, and ultimately contribute to a stronger and safer community of single-pilot jet owners. Textron Aviation and Collins Aerospace senior leaders are 100% supportive and welcome our Premier initiatives.
In the coming weeks, we will communicate to Premier owners and open member registration. In the spring, we will invite all Citation and Premier owners to a fly-in. The 2025 CJP Annual Convention will include the inaugural Premier breakout.
While I can appreciate the sense of pride that many owners have in how our association membership has been established, I hope everyone will be open-minded to the benefit of this evolution and welcome the Premier owners to our tribe of Textron jet owner-operators.
Reflections on 2024
As I reflect on my first year with CJP, I am humbled by the opportunity to work with such an amazing, passionate, and incredibly dedicated group of members, companions, and partners of our Citation community. This past year was full of great member gatherings and a very successful Annual Convention at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
It was wonderful meeting many of our partners and running into some CJP members during NBAA BACE in Las Vegas in October. My “Safe to Land (R)” presentation during the Single-Pilot Safety Standdown was well received and stirred up much interest among the other owner-pilot associations.
In November, the Safety Committee held a 2-day meeting to discuss safety initiatives for the upcoming year. Many thanks to Signature Aviation for hosting the meeting space and Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) for hosting a fantastic dinner for the Safety Committee in Scottsdale, AZ!
Welcome New CJP Partners!
Since my last update, I am happy to announce four (4) new CJP Patron Partners! Welcome to Central Flying Service, Guardian Jet, Advocate Consulting Legal Group, and Sky Blue Jet Aviation. We will continue to foster relationships with potential partners, so if you have any recommendations on new CJP partners, please connect them with me and I will follow up.
Upcoming Events
Registration is now open for our Winter Regional at the spectacular St. Regis Deer Valley Hotel in Park City, Utah. The dates of the event are February 21-25, 2025.
CJP Gold Partner, LOFT will host an elegant owner-member dinner at the stunning Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, CA on January 23, 2025. For more details and to register, click here.
Save the Dates!
- Summer Regional: May 29 – Jun 1, 2025 in Healdsburg, CA (Sonoma wine country)
- June Owner Member Dinner: Jun 12, 2025 in Bentonville, AR (hosted by JetAVIVA)
- 2025 CJP Annual Convention: Sept 3-6, 2025 at the beautiful JW Marriott, San Antonio, TX
Wishing all our members and partners Happy Holidays with many great and exciting things to come in 2025!
FLY SAFE & CHECK-6!