2013 News
For the latest business aviation from NBAA, review NBAA Update. Distributed free to more than 20,000 aviation professionals each week, NBAA Update is an e-newsletter providing a synopsis of the latest operational, regulatory and legislative news for the business aviation community, as well as information about NBAA activities, Member benefits and upcoming industry events.
Business Aviation Insider, the official Member publication of NBAA, serves companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. All employees of NBAA Member Companies may choose to receive printed copies of Business Aviation Insider by mail. There is no additional charge for this NBAA Member benefit.
2013 Articles
White Plains Regional Forum to Feature More Than 130 Exhibitors
May 17, 2013
NBAA's 2013 Business Aviation Regional Forum series continues on June 6 at Westchester Country Airport (HPN), Panorama Flight Services, in White Plains, NY. This second forum of 2013 will include 133 exhibitors, 19 aircraft on static display and a program agenda focused on important issues in business aviation, such as safety and aircraft acquisitions. Learn more about the White Plains Regional Forum.
Breadth of Europe's Business Aviation Industry to Be Represented at EBACE2013
May 16, 2013
The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2013) is Europe's premier business aviation event, offering Attendees an outstanding opportunity to see the size and importance of the business aviation industry in the region. Jointly hosted by NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association, the leading association for business aviation in Europe, EBACE2013 will take place from May 21 to 23 in Geneva, Switzerland. While EBACE has grown over the years to become a truly international event, the focus on the needs of the European business aviation industry remains at the forefront. Learn more about EBACE2013.
NBAA’s Air Mail Continues to Evolve, Adds New List Topics
May 13, 2013
NBAA's Air Mail – the Association's Members-only social network for collaboration and discussion on topics of interest to business aircraft operators – is one of the most popular and frequently used online resources offered by NBAA. Through Air Mail, NBAA Members can ask questions and get real-world answers from their fellow Members on business aviation issues. Launched in 1997, Air Mail continues to evolve to serve the business aviation community in the changing social media landscape, recently adding six new lists to meet the changing needs of Members. Read more about Air Mail.
Auburn Students, Alumni Contest Decision to 'Sunset' Aviation Program
May 13, 2013
Advocates fighting to preserve aviation-related curricula at Auburn University say they are in a "state of shock" following last week's announcement that the school intent to outsource Auburn's flight training program to a third-party. The university said it will "refer the existing degree in professional flight management to the University Senate's Academic Program Review Committee for review and if the program is discontinued will work with the enrolled students to ensure they are able to complete their degrees." Alumni, including NBAA representatives, and current students have been staging a grassroots effort to save the program and say they intend to keep fighting to preserve it. Read more about the aviation program at Auburn.
New and Pre-Owned Aircraft Markets Show Signs of Rebounding
May 13, 2013
Worldwide sales of new and pre-owned general aviation aircraft demonstrate that while the industry continues its gradual rebound, significant growth may still be years away. Last week, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association announced an encouraging upswing for deliveries of new general aviation (GA) aircraft, with first quarter billings improving 31.7 percent over the same period last year. Deliveries throughout all industry segments measured by GAMA improved over last year's quarterly totals. The pre-owned aircraft market also appears to be improving in 2013, with a report by JetNet LLC listing slightly fewer aircraft for sale worldwide in February 2013 than in February 2012. Also, the European market appears to be making slow, but steady, improvement, according to a report from Brian Foley Associates. Read more about the improving GA market.
Alumni, Students Rally to Save Auburn University Aviation Program
May 9, 2013
The aviation education program at Alabama's Auburn University is at risk following a review by Aviation Accreditation Board International that determined the program lacks qualified tenured professors. The problem escalated further when the program's senior tenured faculty member passed away last February, and the only other tenured aviation program professor has since announced his departure at the end of this semester. Founded in 1941, the aviation management program at Auburn University is the nation's oldest continuously operated aviation program, and many of its approximately 3,800 graduates, including several NBAA staffers, have gone on to careers in the industry. Read more about Auburn's aviation program.
IAWA Reception to Help Aviation Women Connect at EBACE2013
May 6, 2013
Women aviation professionals from around the world are invited to attend an International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA) reception hosted by NBAA on May 22 in Geneva, Switzerland, and held in conjunction with the 2013 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2013). The Geneva IAWA Connect event will be held at NBAA's booth No. 2011, in Hall 5 on the EBACE2013 exhibit floor. IAWA represents women who hold executive positions across the aviation and aerospace industry, and provides a networking platform for senior women to promote advancement in leadership, and encourage younger women to remain in and develop their careers in aviation. Read more about the IAWA Connect event at EBACE2013.
Applications for Scholarships Benefiting Students Now Online
May 6, 2013
NBAA offers a wide range of scholarships for current and aspiring business aviation professionals, and in the coming year will provide nearly $100,000 in cash awards for tomorrow’s industry leaders. Applications for five of these scholarships are now available online, with awards available for college sophomores, juniors and seniors who are preparing for a career in business aviation. Since NBAA's scholarship program was launched during its 1992 Convention, the Association has awarded several million dollars in monetary and training scholarships. Learn more about NBAA scholarships.
Webinar Offers Roadmap to Cabin Technology Issues and Solutions
April 22, 2013
Advances in the level of high-speed connectivity available in modern business aircraft cabins seem to outpace even the most timely discussions and training. A recent webinar titled, "The Modern Office in the Sky: Radar to a Roadmap," addresses this issue. This online presentation serves as a bridge between discussions on technology issues and sessions addressing high-speed data systems installation and usage to be held at the upcoming NBAA Maintenance Management Conference, set for April 30 to May 2 in Fort Worth, TX. Learn more about the webinar.
Leaders Share Ideas at Inaugural Regional Leadership Roundtable
April 15, 2013
Leaders from 22 regional business aviation groups discussed best practices and opportunities to be more collectively effective during the inaugural NBAA Regional Leadership Roundtable, held on April 11 in Englewood, CO. The agenda, arranged by NBAA at the request of the regional leaders, featured six key topics: volunteer management, keeping meeting content fresh, expanding membership, advocacy and legislative issues, scholarships and leadership goals. Read more about the Regional Leadership roundtable.
Business Aviation Safety Seminar Focused on Collaborative Solutions
April 10, 2013
With the industry's safety record under renewed scrutiny in the wake of two high-profile accidents already this year, the annual Business Aviation Safety Seminar (BASS), held last week in Montreal, Canada, focused on finding collaborative solutions to safety issues affecting business aviation users, pilots and flight departments. The annual two-day event, which is hosted by the Flight Safety Foundation and co-sponsored by NBAA and the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA), underscores NBAA's long-standing and continuing commitment to improving business aviation safety. Read more about BASS.
NBAA Launches New Twitter-Based Advocacy Tool
April 8, 2013
It's one of the most exciting new developments in NBAA's ongoing government relations and advocacy program: Twitter messaging from the Association's Contact Congress web page, which enables users to 'tweet' their Congressional representatives with important advocacy messages on behalf of business aviation. "With our traditional Contact Congress process, advocacy messages are e-mailed to the elected officials or submitted directly through their websites," said Jason Wolf, NBAA director of Internet communications. "But with the new Twitter-based system, messages are sent as tweets that will be seen by Congressional staff, the media and even an activist's own Twitter followers. This new feature is one more example of how social media can help amplify an organization's advocacy efforts." Read more about NBAA's new Twitter advocacy tool.
EBACE Student Day Panel to Promote Careers in Business Aviation
April 5, 2013
Student Day at the 2013 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2013) will feature a panel of industry leaders who will speak about career opportunities in business aviation. Students from aviation schools around Europe have been invited to attend "Business Aviation as a Career: Build Your Future Now," set for 9:30 a.m. on May 23. "We've organized this seminar so that students can get current and reliable information about our industry," said Belarmino Paradela, senior manager of economics and operational duties at the European Business Aviation Association, who will be moderating the event. "We want business aviation to be one of their top career choices." Read more about Student Day at EBACE2013.
Maintenance Management Conference: Not Just for Wrench Turners
April 5, 2013
With nearly two dozen education sessions and more than 125 Exhibitors, NBAA's annual Maintenance Management Conference – scheduled for April 30 – May 2 in Fort Worth, TX – has something for everyone with maintenance responsibilities, from flight department managers and chief pilots to maintenance directors and hands-on technicians. New this year is an outdoor static display area, which provides an opportunity for Exhibitors to showcase ground support equipment. MMC also offers education sessions covering management and technology issues. Learn more about MMC.
NBAA Members: Is the Sequester Impacting Your Customs Services?
April 1, 2013
NBAA wants to hear from Members about any effects from sequestration at Customs and Border Protection, as pilots entering the country may be the first to experience significant effects as the impact of across-the-board cuts to government agencies takes hold. For example, staffing reductions throughout that agency, including at U.S. ports of entry, may lead to longer processing times for aircraft flying into the United States. NBAA remains engaged in talks with multiple federal agencies on ways to mitigate the impact from the sequester on business aviation operations. NBAA Members may assist those efforts by reporting any delays or other unusual situations at U.S. entry points to the Association at ops@nbaa.org. Read more about the possible impact on Customs and Border Protection from sequestration.
Gain CAM Credit at Spring Safety Events in Columbus, Chicago, San Jose and Washington Areas
March 25, 2013
NBAA supports scores of regional business aviation groups in their ongoing efforts to bring educational and professional development opportunities to local communities. Members are encouraged to attend any of the upcoming regional safety events qualifying for Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credit: the Ohio Business Aviation Training Standdown on April 17 in Columbus, OH; Chicago Area Business Aviation Association's Safety Seminar on April 25 in Glenview, IL; Northern California Business Aviation Association's Safety Day on May 2 in San Jose, CA; and Greater Washington Business Aviation Association's Safety Standdown on May 16 in Ashburn, VA. For details about these and other regional events, view NBAA's regional event calendar, or register for one of these regional safety days.
Top European Transport Leaders Featured at EBACE2013
March 20, 2013
Europe's premier business aviation event, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2013), will feature presentations by several of Europe's top transport leaders at the Opening General Session of the show, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 21 to 23. "Business Aviation: Making the Difference in Europe" is the topic of the keynote session, which will feature Matthew Baldwin, director of air transport, European Commission DG for Mobility and Transport, and Jacek Krawczyk, vice president of the European Economic and Social Committee. Learn more about EBACE2013.
NBAA Member Avionics Technician Among 2013 National General Aviation Award Recipients
March 15, 2013
Four individuals, including Bruce Allen Lundquist, an avionics systems specialist for NBAA Member Pentastar Aviation, were recently named recipients of the 2013 National General Aviation Awards. The annual General Aviation Awards – a joint effort between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the industry – are a tradition that stretches back nearly 50 years. Presented at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture event in Oshkosh, WI, the awards recognize aviation professionals for their outstanding contributions to education and flight safety. Read more about the 2013 award winners.
Upcoming Regional Events Focus on Safety, Training
March 14, 2013
Regional aviation groups across the country are hosting a bevy of collaborative safety and training programs this spring to help business aircraft operators enhance their already-strong record of safe flying.. "While these safety events are often held by individual associations separate from NBAA, it's important for our Association to help promote these efforts that help improve safety, training, and efficiency of flight operations of all sizes," noted NBAA Southwest Regional Representative Steve Hadley. Learn more about upcoming regional events.
NBAA Letter to FAA Underscores Industry's Pressing Tower-Closure Concerns
March 13, 2013
As the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalizes a plan for closing nearly 170 air traffic control towers and other facilities, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen wrote the FAA to outline the business aviation community’s significant concerns with the plan, and offer proposals for mitigating the situation. In his letter, sent to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Chief Operating Officer David Grizzle, Bolen noted that NBAA Members are strongly supportive of the tower facilities, and that the industry wants to work with the agency to keep the largest number possible in operation. Learn more and read the letter.
Business Aviation Works to Mitigate Sequester's Impact
March 11, 2013
At the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) 38th Forecast & Policy Summit, held March 6 in Washington, DC, NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown reported on his work to represent the interests of business aviation in recent discussions between government leaders and aviation stakeholders focused on mitigating the impact of the sequester, or federal budget cuts that could impact vital air services. "We in the business aviation community recognize the unique and challenging nature of this situation, but we also want to ensure we have a seat at the table as FAA officials consider how best to continue aviation system operations in a safe and equitable manner," Brown told those in attendance at the opening panel for the FAA event. As a former associate FAA administrator himself, Brown is one of a handful of industry stakeholders working closely with government officials on sequester-related matters. Read more about NBAA's work with government officials on the sequester.
NBAA Thanks Retiring Sandy Wirtz for Tireless Service to Association, Industry
March 11, 2013
The Association announced today that Sandy Wirtz is retiring as NBAA director, seminars, effective March 15. Wirtz has been with NBAA for 17 years, and has led the overall logistics planning and execution for NBAA's seminars, conferences, workshops and committee meetings. "In countless cities and towns, Sandy Wirtz has worked hard to run NBAA events effectively and efficiently," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "She has long been a recognized and respected figure in the business aviation community, and her contributions to the Association and industry will be missed." Wirtz plans to return to her hometown of St. Louis, MO to spend time with her family and provide support to various volunteer projects. Read more about Wirtz's service with NBAA.
New Website Encourages Careers in Industry
A new jobs and career website for pilots, flight attendants, aviation technicians, aviation managers and other aviation professionals has been launched by a diversified industry group called Aviation Workforce Development, Inc. (AWD). Tara Harl, executive director of AWD and chair of NBAA's Professional Development Subcommittee, described AWD as the aviation industry’s support organization for entry, advancement, leadership development and issue resolution in aviation careers, including business aviation. AWD's web pages provide career information for airlines, the military, manufacturing, unmanned aircraft operations, air traffic control, government, airports and general aviation. Read more about AWD's new resource.
GAMA: Though 2012 Aircraft Shipments Mixed, Encouraging Signs Emerging
February 14, 2013
When NBAA and GAMA launched the No Plane No Gain campaign in 2009, on specifically stated objective for the program was to highlight the industry’s value through an ongoing media campaign, and GAMA’s February 12 press conference continued that tradition. Throughout the event, GAMA's Pete Bunce highlighted the importance of general aviation not only in helping businesses succeed, but also in supporting critical industries like agriculture and providing lift for humanitarian initiatives like Corporate Angel Network and Veterans Airlift Command. Bloomberg Businessweek News, the Associated Press and the Wichita Eagle covered the event, as did industry trade publications, including Aviation International News, AvWeb and others. Read more about the GAMA press conference.
S&D Committee Participation Offers Opportunities for Growth, Networking
January 28, 2013
With NBAA's annual Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference wrapping up last week, several positions are opening on the S&D Committee, offering professionals opportunities for development, networking and engaging with the industry. "It's a great opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, really challenge yourself and develop your interests," said Karen Steinkamp, reflecting on her service on NBAA's S&D Committee as chairwoman.
Learn more about the S&D Committee.
Michigan Group Opposes Proposed GA User Fees
January 4, 2013
The Michigan Aeronautics Commission recently sent a letter to its congressional delegation opposing the proposed $100-per-flight user fee as a fund-raising mechanism. "We think that type of tax is a job killer," said Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA) chairman and Michigan Aeronautics Commission member Roger Salo, who added that MBAA has been pursuing the user-fee issue since it came up at a recent meeting. "We thought there was some urgency to communicate that to our state representatives. We were pleased that [the commission] supported it." The letter emphasized strong ties between local job growth and the continued prosperity of the state’s general aviation industry. Read more about the letter..
