South Carolina Aviation Association

What South Carolina Aviation Association does

The South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) is a nonprofit membership-based trade association founded in 1938 and headquartered in Charleston, SC, that serves as the only state-affiliated advocacy body for aviation professionals and enthusiasts in South Carolina. The organization represents the interests of 58 publicly owned public-use airports (spanning all but three SC counties, including six commercial service and 52 general aviation airports) and eight privately owned public-use airports. Its primary customers are airport authorities and commissions, airport executives and professionals, fixed base operators, corporate aviation businesses, pilots, and aviation students across the state.

SCAA generates revenue primarily through tiered recurring membership dues — Airport Membership ($250/year), Corporate Membership ($450/year), Individual Membership ($40/year), and Student Membership ($25/year) — supplemented by event registrations, sponsorships, and donations for scholarship and legislative funds. The association delivers value through an annual three-day Airports Conference (positioned as one of the largest state aviation events in the Southeast), South Carolina Aviation Week, an annual Legislative Reception in Columbia, the quarterly Palmetto Aviation newsletter, and recognition programs including the SC Aviation Hall of Fame (est. 1991), Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year, and Airport Project of the Year awards. SCAA also administers a scholarship program (minimum $1,000 awards) and partners with the SC Aeronautics Commission, FAA SC Flight Standards District Office, and Global Aerospace Insurance to coordinate safety, advocacy, and an exclusive airport insurance benefit.

The organization operates with a small staff (1-10 employees) and a 12-member volunteer Board of Directors serving three-year terms, with an Executive Committee comprising the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Past President. SCAA does not develop proprietary technology products; its digital footprint consists of its website (scaaonline.com), a member portal, social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), and a quarterly publication. Its strategic significance is evidenced by the $90 million state airport development budget it helped secure for 2025 — the largest such investment in SC history — and the documented $16.3 billion annual economic impact of the state's airport system.

Name

South Carolina Aviation Association

Legal name

South Carolina Aviation Association

Website

https://scaaonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Carolina Aviation Association is a nonprofit membership-based trade association founded in 1938 that advocates for aviation professionals and 66 airports across South Carolina, delivering tiered memberships, an annual conference, Aviation Week, legislative reception, scholarships, and recognition programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Operational Security (Airside Access, Screening Coordination) (THABAIAN)

Keywords

• Aviation industry advocacy
• Airport association services
• Aviation membership organization
• Airport conference events
• Aviation legislative advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SCAA generates primary revenue through tiered membership dues: Airport Membership at $250/year, Corporate Membership at $450/year, Individual Membership at $40/year, and Student Membership at $25/year. Airport memberships include 8 memberships per organization, online member directory access, Palmetto Aviation subscription, event discounts, and access to the Global Aerospace SCAA Insurance Plan.
2. Event Registrations and Sponsorships: Revenue from annual conference registrations, sponsorship packages, and exhibitor fees. The Annual Airports Conference is described as one of the largest state aviation events in the Southeast. Additional revenue from Aviation Week events, legislative receptions, and career fairs.
3. Donations: SCAA accepts donations for scholarship fund and legislative fund through its website. Scholarship donations support the next generation of aviation professionals pursuing careers in the aviation industry in South Carolina.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SCAA is a membership-based nonprofit trade association serving the aviation industry in South Carolina. It sells tiered annual memberships (Airport $250, Corporate $450, Individual $40, Student $25), organizes the Annual Airports Conference, South Carolina Aviation Week, and a Legislative Reception, and administers recognition programs including the Aviation Hall of Fame and Airport Project of the Year. The association also provides legislative advocacy, professional development, networking, scholarship funding, and access to the Global Aerospace SCAA Insurance Plan.

Product overview

The South Carolina Aviation Association operates as a membership-based organization offering tiered membership programs (Airport, Corporate, Individual, Student) with benefits including member directory access, event discounts, and insurance program access. The association organizes major events including an annual three-day airports conference, annual Aviation Week celebration, and annual Legislative Reception. SCAA administers recognition programs including the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame (established 1991), Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year Award, and Airport Project of the Year awards. The association also supports aviation education through an annual scholarship program providing minimum $1,000 awards to South Carolina residents pursuing aviation careers. SCAA partners with the SC Aeronautics Commission (established 1938) and publishes the quarterly Palmetto Aviation newsletter featuring safety updates from FAASTeam.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCAA Airport Membership Annual membership for public authorities, commissions, governmental agencies or boards engaged in establishment, ownership, administration, operation or management of public airports. Includes eight memberships per organization, online member directory access, Palmetto Aviation subscription, event discounts, and access to the Global Aerospace SCAA Insurance Plan.
• SCAA Corporate Membership Annual membership at $450/year for non-governmental corporations or businesses that wish to support SCAA. Includes ten memberships, Palmetto Aviation digital subscription, logo on the SCAA website, logo on the back cover of Palmetto Aviation, and electronic member mailings.
• SCAA Individual Membership Annual membership at $40/year for individual pilots, providing electronic membership mailings and access to SCAA networking and information services.
• SCAA Student Membership Annual membership at $25/year for students with an interest in aviation or airports in South Carolina. Student members shall not be entitled to vote in any matter.
• Annual Airports Conference Three-day annual conference for airport professionals to learn the latest aviation technology and management practices, connect with peers, and hear updates from state and federal agencies. Includes registration, sponsorship packages, and exhibitor fees.
• South Carolina Aviation Week Annual week-long statewide celebration promoting aviation through events that highlight the educational and economic impacts of airports throughout South Carolina, run jointly with the SC Aeronautics Commission.
• Legislative Reception Annual legislative reception at the SC State House providing SCAA members the opportunity to meet and build relationships with state legislators and advocate for airport funding. Airport Members receive two complimentary registrations; Corporate Members two; Individual Members one.
• Global Aerospace SCAA Insurance Program Property and casualty insurance program (ASAP - Airport Safety Advocacy Program) offered exclusively to SCAA Airport Members through Global Aerospace Insurance, providing preferred rates with a three-year policy term and guaranteed rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every $1 invested in South Carolina's aviation system returns $3,000 in economic value (SC Council on Competitiveness)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Carolina Aeronautics CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAA has enjoyed a strong relationship with the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission since the association's inception. The Commission is the primary state agency to oversee aviation activities within South Carolina, established in 1938. SCAA and SCAC partner together annually on SC Aviation Week. The Commission fosters air and economic development by overseeing safety and development of the state's public use airports.
• Global Aerospace InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAA partners with Global Aerospace Insurance to offer an airport member benefit through a property and casualty insurance program called ASAP (Airport Safety Advocacy Program). As part of the program, Global Aerospace pays the $250 Airport Membership for qualified members for one year.
• FAA SC Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAA promotes safer skies in coordination with the FAA SC FSDO and the SC Aeronautics Commission. FAASTeam Representative Leo Berube provides Quarterly Safety Updates featured in Palmetto Aviation. SCAA coordinates safety webinars and seminars with FAA SC FAASTeam Representatives.
• SC Aeronautical Training Center at Trident Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SC Aeronautical Training Center at Trident Technical College develops workforce for South Carolina's manufacturing cluster with programs in aircraft assembly, aircraft maintenance, avionics maintenance and more, training workers for careers in the state's largest manufacturers.
• Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (Myrtle Beach)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMyrtle Beach-based institute makes an impact on South Carolina's economy by contributing to aviation workforce development through its aviation maintenance technician training program.
• Challenger Learning Center (Columbia, SC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAA supports the Challenger Learning Center in Columbia, SC, which provides STEM-based aviation and aerospace education programs.
• FAA Aviation & Space Education InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAA supports the FAA Aviation & Space Education Initiative to promote aviation education and career pathways.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE): National professional association for airport executives and managers. Directly comparable to SCAA's airport-officer constituency, but operates at national scope with broader programming, larger staff, and deeper policy resources — a primary benchmark for SCAA's value proposition.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Largest GA pilot association in the U.S. Directly comparable to SCAA's individual-pilot membership tier, but with national scope, larger events, and aviation advocacy infrastructure. Represents a parallel, larger-scale member benefit offering for SC pilots.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): National association for recreational and sport aviation, comparable to SCAA's pilot and enthusiast membership segments. Differentiates through AirVenture Oshkosh and youth education programs, which parallels SCAA's scholarship and education focus.
• National Air Transportation Association (NATA): Trade association for aviation businesses including FBOs, charter operators, and MROs. Comparable to SCAA's FBO and corporate segments, with overlapping policy priorities around airport operations and safety — a relevant industry peer for SCAA's advocacy work.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): Major national trade association for business aviation, including FBOs, corporate flight departments, and charter operators. Comparable to SCAA's corporate aviation and FBO constituencies, but with much broader programming, events (NBAA-BACE), and policy reach.

Direct peers

• Georgia Aviation Association: State-level aviation trade association serving Georgia airports and professionals. Operates the same core model as SCAA — advocacy, annual conference, awards, member directory — and competes for similar Southeast regional attention and corporate sponsors.
• North Carolina Aviation Association: Direct state-level peer association for aviation professionals in North Carolina. Closely comparable model: state-level advocacy, conferences, scholarships, awards, and membership tiers serving the airport and pilot community in a neighboring Southeast state.
• National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO): Umbrella organization for state aviation agencies and commissions, closely aligned with the SC Aeronautics Commission that SCAA partners with. Represents the federal/state-level coordination layer above SCAA and is a key peer in the state-aviation ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3I3F-35DKCGvoVlp8JUKyg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SCAviationAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scaviationassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Carolina Aviation Association