Ross Perot Jr., U.S. Chamber Board Chair and aviation pioneer, emphasizes the importance of private sector innovation and government partnership to sustain U.S. aerospace leadership and drive industry growth.
The 2025 Global Aerospace Summit is happening at a time when an American aviation legend leads the U.S. Chamber’s Board of Directors. H. Ross Perot Jr., who was elected as chair of the U.S. Chamber board earlier this year, is the first person—along with his copilot—to fly a helicopter around the world. Perot had a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew F-4 Phantoms. After his service concluded, he spearheaded the creation of the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. He still flies helicopters every week and is a champion of the U.S. aerospace industry.
In a conversation with U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President Neil Bradley on the first day of the 2025 Global Aerospace Summit, Perot shared his insights on U.S. aerospace leadership—and why he believes this $1.3 trillion industry’s best days are still ahead of it.
“I’ve been in global aviation for almost 50 years. It’s a very exciting time to be in it.”
There are parallels between Perot’s experience as a pilot and the state of the modern aerospace industry. When Perot committed to his record-breaking flight in 1982, he knew he had to get ahead of competitors from around the world.
“We put together a team, and within 30 days we took off—30 days later we were done,” Perot recounted. Agility is just as important in modern aviation, and the private sector’s role is to lead innovation in a highly competitive global market.
Perot and Hillwood—his family-owned real estate development company—worked with the city of Fort Worth, Texas and the Federal Aviation Administration to build Alliance Airport, the world’s first industrial airport, located just north of Dallas, Texas. He recounted the experience of constructing the airport, with the FAA projecting it would take 10 years to build. Perot committed to a far shorter window: “It took 18 months from idea to groundbreaking, then 18 months to opening.”
Although the private sector must drive innovation and growth in aerospace, partnership with government remains critical. “Your FAA government partner is your critical partner. Bring the FAA in early, tell them what you’re going to do. The FAA wants to win just like you want to win.”
As chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Perot seeks to support continued growth and innovation in aerospace. “It’s the U.S. Chamber’s responsibility to make sure we’re working with all the players in this great industry, to make sure the regulations are there, the funding is there… And we’re just getting started.”
“[America has] led the aerospace industry and the space industry globally for decades. We must continue to lead it.” – Chairman, The Perot Companies and Hillwood; Board Chair, U.S. Chamber of Commerce