Story ID: 
GAMA Expands Array of Members
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Leonardo, Safran Helicopters, and Prime Air are among seven companies joining GAMA at various membership levels.
Word Count: 218
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has added seven members representing a spectrum of the market—from a legacy airframer to an engine maker and an avionics provider—to those in the advanced air mobility realm. With the additions, the association now has some 140 full, associate, and Epic associate members.

New full members include Cascina Costa, Italy-based Leonardo Helicopters, which also has engineering and industrial operations in the UK, Poland, and the U.S., and a history dating back to predecessor companies Westland in 1916 and Agusta in 1928. Also joining as full members are Safran Helicopter Engines, which is part of the Safran group of companies, and Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Shadin Avionics, which was founded in 1978.

Associate members include ZeroAvia, which was founded in 2018 to develop zero-emission powertrains and is pursuing hydrogen-electric technology. ZeroAvia initially joined GAMA in 2018 as an Epic associate member, a base-level category that enables participation on GAMA’s Electric Propulsion & Innovation Committee. Also joining as an associate member—a category for companies primarily engaged in the development of a new general aviation product and operations—is Prime Air, an Amazon future delivery system.

Finally, the new Epic associate members are a relatively new Swedish electric aircraft company, Heart Aerospace, and Jaunt Air Mobility, a Dallas-based eVTOL designer.