The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced that Cook Flight Operations aircraft captain Doug Rock has become the 1,000th aviation professional to receive the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) designation.
Established by NBAA in 2003, the CAM program has evolved into an industry benchmark for leadership development in business aviation. The certification focuses on five key domains: leadership, human resources, operations, aircraft maintenance, and business management.
“The CAM program exemplifies NBAA’s commitment to supporting our community’s growth in an increasingly complex and competitive environment,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Reaching our 1,000th CAM certification milestone is recognition from our industry and business aviation professionals that CAM is a credential that delivers success, both for the recipients and their organizations.”
Rock, who has two decades of experience as a corporate pilot, pursued the certification to expand his knowledge base and enhance his decision-making capabilities. “After 20 years as a corporate pilot, I was at the point in my career where I wanted to have a broader understanding of this dynamic industry so I could make more informed decisions,” he said. “I wanted to gain a deep understanding of the whole industry, from operations to maintenance to leadership and safety, and the CAM program allowed me to connect every one of those dots.”
NBAA’s preparation course, Six Months to CAM, played an important role in Rock’s certification journey. The program provided weekly calls, guest speakers, and consistent engagement that accommodated his professional and personal obligations while preparing him for the examination.
The CAM credential is the first aviation industry program to receive accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Recognition of the program also came from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which has approved it as a license and certification site. Veterans who have completed the CAM examination since 2014 may qualify for GI Bill education benefits that cover the examination fee.
Candidates must undergo a formal application process and receive pre-qualification approval before taking the computer-based examination, which is available year-round.
“I am a better pilot because of CAM, and my career options have broadened because of the leadership skills I’ve learned from the CAM program,” Rock concluded.