Categories
General Private Air Charter

Capt. Carlos Correa earns Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credential

Capt. Carlos Correa, CAM
Capt. Carlos Correa, CAM

Meridian Air Charter is proud to announce that Captain Carlos Correa has earned the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credential from the National Aviation Business Association (NBAA). Mr. Correa, who has been an active pilot for Meridian since 2010, currently flies two aircraft types: Hawker 800 and Citation Mustang. He has been working diligently towards earning his CAM certification since 2014, while also balancing his pilot responsibilities and family obligations.
The CAM program, along with the professional development program, has been designed by NBAA as a way to raise the standards for improving and developing future leaders in aviation. Eligibility for the CAM program is based on scoring 100 points on a combination of an applicant’s formal education, professional development, licensing and professional experience related to the responsibilities of aviation managers. Certification is achieved upon passing a rigorous 175-question timed exam which evaluates the qualifications of entry-level practitioners in business aviation management. In order to maintain CAM certification, professionals must accrue and document a combination of continuing education and professional leadership experiences every 3 years.
At its core, the CAM credential acknowledges professionals committed to continuous development and higher standards of practice. The accredited certification process tests one’s knowledge and experience in five subject areas: Leadership, Human Resources, Operations, Technical and Facilities Services and Business Management. Certification is an objective, third-party review of standards designed to protect the interests of all stakeholders in business aviation management. It demonstrates that a professional is prepared to move into management positions within an aviation department as a result of extensive study and preparation. An additional benefit of the CAM credential includes being a valuable tool to help current managers begin a succession program to identify future leaders.
The Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credential program has been around for over 15 years and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Accreditation by the NCCA demonstrates to the business aviation profession and the general public that the CAM program has been reviewed by a panel of impartial experts and found to comply with the rigorous NCCA standards. The CAM program is the first in the aviation industry to receive this credential.
At the end of the 2014, there were 262 CAMs, and as of September of this year that number grew to 296. Click here to see the roster of CAMs on the NBAA website. Included in the roster are professionals from academia, charter, private operations, and Fortune 500 flight department directors.
Carlos began his aviation career over 20 years ago, first as a line service technician and then as a customer service representative while undergoing collegiate flight training. His professional flight experience includes the Citation Mustang, Hawker 800, Learjet 55 and Falcon 2000 corporate jets in both private and charter operations. In addition, he has served as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727, and as a pilot on Boeing 737 and Boeing 747 aircraft in worldwide commercial cargo airline operations, as well as Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights in support of Department of Defense (DoD) military operations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
He has earned an Associates degree in Aeronautical Science, a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and most recently, an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while working full-time at Meridian.
Looking ahead, Mr. Correa had this to say, “Earning the CAM credential required a disciplined focus towards raising my standards for knowledge and expertise to that of which would be expected of a future leader. Maintaining the CAM credential will require an ongoing commitment to continuous development and I wholeheartedly look forward to achieving the highest standards of practice as envisioned by NBAA for all its future leaders.”