Veteran and Bizav Advocate John Sheehan Flies West

John J. Sheehan III, a decorated U.S. Navy aviator, general aviation advocate, and author, passed away on March 20 at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 85.

Sheehan’s four-decade career in aviation spanned military service, association leadership, consulting, and publishing. After retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1980 following a 21-year career that included carrier-based anti-submarine warfare operations and an advisory role with the Royal Thai Navy—for which he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal—he transitioned to the civilian aviation sector.

He served as executive v-p at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and later as secretary general of the International Council of AOPA. Next, he worked as an aviation consultant with Phaneuf Associates in Washington, D.C., before founding Professional Aviation Inc., a firm that advised corporate flight departments on safety, training, and management practices.

Sheehan contributed to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) as a consultant, auditor, and presenter. His book, “Business and Corporate Aviation Management,” remains a standard reference for professional flight departments and is included in NBAA’s Certified Aviation Manager curriculum. He also authored several articles on safety, leadership, and management for two NBAA quarterly publications.

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said: “John was a true advocate for the general aviation community, promoting its value and protecting its access for nearly 40 years. He quite literally wrote the book on business aviation. His life’s work has made us better, safer, and more professional. His mark on our industry will long endure.”

Sheehan earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He is survived by his wife of 55 years and three daughters.