Chicago Area Business Aviation Association

The Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) says it has served people involved in the safe and efficient operation of corporate aircraft in the Chicagoland area since 1998. It lists a mailing address in Lemont, Illinois, and holds its meetings around Chicagoland. Its work rests on four pillars: relationship building, advocacy, safety promotion and education support. Event proceeds go to the CABAA Educational Foundation, which funds scholarships and educational programs. CABAA describes NBAA as complementary, with NBAA handling national issues and CABAA local ones, and recommends membership in both. Its board and committees are listed on the site.

Members are mainly corporate flight departments, from directors of operations and chief pilots to maintenance technicians and dispatchers, and CABAA explicitly welcomes any vendor or supplier serving business aircraft operators, which is where an FBO fits. Benefits include networking, safety resources, discounted entry to local industry events, the member directory, and career development and mentoring. The 2026 holiday party is set for December 3 at Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington. A testimonial on the site from Jen Air Aviation says the company has hired six former CABAA scholarship winners.

Education is CABAA's largest program. The homepage puts annual funding at more than $90,000 and the scholarship page at more than $100,000; the 2026 recipient list runs to 20 awards, from collegiate and general financial scholarships to donated courses from FlightSafety, CAE, Avel Flight School, Aircare and DaVinci Inflight Training Institute. Corporate membership is $350 a year for unlimited employees, individual membership is $50 and students join free. Dues cover operating costs, while event profits fund the scholarships.