Flight Group Corporation director of maintenance Wes Maness has become the 900th professional to become a Certified Aviation Manager (CAM). Flight Group Corporation is a private aircraft charter and management company located at Raleigh Durham International airport in North Carolina.

Launched in 2003, NBAA's CAM programme is recognised as the premier management certification programme for aviation professionals. The programme's momentum has grown in recent years, with NBAA welcoming the 700th CAM recipient in 2021 and its 800th in 2022.

Maness considers CAM an investment in his career and in the value he brings to the table. "I've been a manager, a director and an executive, but continued learning and development is a must," he says. "CAM really helped me understand the bigger picture by providing fresh insights into the diversity of knowledge and skills utilised in the business of corporate aviation. It also introduced me to a whole new group of peers that I will definitely stay connected to."

"It's truly an auspicious moment to welcome the 900th CAM. This is a testament to the industry's recognition that the CAM programme is the gold standard in business aviation management and a credential that is built to help the industry grow," says Matthew Gray, CAM, assistant chief pilot at The Hershey Company and chair of the CAM governing board. "We continue to develop the CAM programme to meet the ever-changing needs of our vital industry, and we look forward to celebrating our 1,000th certification very soon."

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen notes the broadening appeal of CAM certification: "In an environment where staff recruitment and retention are now critical, CAM raises the bar on providing aviation professionals with the tools and strategies to develop their careers and elevate their leadership skills. CAM is now a sought-after credential by many employers who appreciate the dedication required to achieve this certification and the vital knowledge gained by every CAM graduate."

To help those interested in the certification, NBAA launched Six Months to CAM, a structured, online study programme that helps candidates balance work and personal responsibilities to successfully prepare for the CAM exam.

Last year, in recognition of the CAM programme's advances, NBAA launched the CAM Fellow Program to celebrate graduates who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the programme's vision of 'Prepare to Lead; Committed to Excellence'.

The CAM programme is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and is the first programme in the aviation industry to receive this recognition.