Bolen Begins 2015 Regional Visits with Trip to Chicago

Jan. 7, 2015

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will address the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) at the regional group’s annual meeting on Jan. 23, giving Members in the Windy City a preview of 2015 aviation issues.

“Ed’s speech at CABAA really sets the tone for NBAA advocacy throughout the year,” said NBAA Midwest Regional Representative Bob Quinn.

Bolen is expected to discuss FAA reauthorization, and the possibility that the Obama administration will use the legislative process for funding the agency as an opportunity to push user fees.

“Our members will have some pretty good questions for him,” promised CABAA President Ed Forst. “They’re extremely keen to know what’s going on in Washington, DC and how those issues will affect us here in Chicago.”

For Bolen, Chicago is the first stop during a year full of trips to local and regional business aviation groups around the country. His purpose is to both brief aviation professionals on current events and advocacy efforts in Washington, as well as to be briefed on local issues in which NBAA’s support may be needed.

One of the issues at the top of NBAA’s 2015 agenda is maintaining access to the nation’s airports, and that is fast becoming a hot topic in Chicago, Forst said.

“We’re concerned that when the leases for FBOs at Midway Airport (MDW) run out within the next seven years, the Department of Aviation will make good on its promise not to renew them,” Forst said. “It looks like the city wants to move general aviation interests all the way out to Gary, IN, and make Midway a strictly commercial airport.”

Chicago First Deputy Commissioner of Aviation Michael Boland is also scheduled to attend the Jan. 23 CABAA event. Other matters topping the agenda at CABAA include the recent local airspace reorganization.

CABAA members are largely pleased with the new standard terminal arrival routes and standard instrument departures, Forst said. He also praised the CABAA Air Traffic Control Committee for its work on defining procedures at outlying airports such as Chicago Executive (PWK), Aurora (ARR) and DuPage (DPA).