By Every Yardstick, NBAA2011 an Outstanding Success
As the third and final day of NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2011) drew to a close, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen thanked Exhibitors and Attendees for what he called "a highly successful show.... What we are seeing is that the show is providing real value to the business aviation community, even in these challenging economic times," he said. "It's clear that the Convention continues to be a must-attend event for anyone whose passion or profession involves business aviation." The show closed with 26,077 people in attendance, a 7 percent jump in attendance over that for last year's event. Review the full show results.

New Board Chairman Brings Owner-Operator Perspective to Role
As CEO and chief pilot for Manitoba Corporation, newly elevated NBAA Board Chairman Richard Shine flies his own Mitsubishi MU-2 turboprop twin on company business. Shine said he hopes to bring an owner-operator's perspective to his position. "I come from a different background than other Board chairmen that we've had over the years, but my goals and my aspirations for myself and for my company are no different than the people with this [Gulfstream] behind me," Shine explained. "We all want to be able to fly our airplanes where we want, when we want, with good safety, and have access to airports and airspace." Read more and view the video interview with Richard Shine.

CAN Honored Top Humanitarian Flyer at Charity Benefit
This week, NBAA Member ConocoPhillips was awarded the first-ever Corporate Angel Network (CAN) "Angel of the Year" Award for outstanding service to cancer patients. The award was presented by astronaut Gene Cernan at the Association's annual benefit, which raised $220,000 for CAN. Corporate Angel Network provides transportation to treatment for cancer patients in empty seats on corporate aircraft, and has arranged nearly 40,000 patient flights since its founding in 1981. Learn more about the new award and the NBAA/CAN Charity Benefit results.

Two Aviation Executives Launch Grassroots No Plane No Gain Effort
By adapting advocacy materials developed under the No Plane No Gain program, two industry executives are planning to create an easy-to-use multimedia presentation that people can use to launch their own grassroots efforts to educate policy leaders and business decision-makers about the value of business aviation. Representatives from FBO Starlink Aviation and Charlie Bravo Aviation believe that having individuals, as well as industry groups, proclaim the value of business aviation is important. Read more about this No Plane No Gain-inspired initiative.

In China, Opportunities Growing Fast, Challenges Diminishing Gradually
In all of Mainland China, there have been only about 200 business aircraft for years, but that number has doubled in the last six months. "When numbers like that start to double, before you know it, this will be a significant region for our industry," said Jay Mesinger of J. Mesinger Corporate Jet Sales. Moderated by Mesinger and fellow NBAA Board member Jeff Lee of American Express, the panel of 17 operators and service providers with experience in the region discussed the tremendous opportunities – and significant challenges – of business flying in Asia. Learn more about the NBAA2011 session.

TSA Gives Inside Look at Major Security Initiatives
It's not everyday that business aviation professionals have the opportunity to talk face-to-face with officials at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but one well-attended NBAA2011 session provided just that chance. Available for questions at the session were two TSA officials with responsibility for both policy and industry engagement, who offered Attendees "real insight into the interactions we have with TSA on a daily basis and the real-time operational mission profile we have," said Doug Carr, NBAA vice president for safety, security & regulation. Learn more about the TSA presence at NBAA2011.

NBAA and Regional Groups Come Together to Promote Industry
NBAA regional representatives and several dozen officials from the 65 local and regional business aviation groups across the country continue to explore ways to facilitate the growth and effectiveness of these industry-promoting organizations. Attendees at an NBAA2011 education session learned that the grassroots support generated by regional business aviation groups has been pivotal in recent years, as the industry fought off attempts to impose user fees and a Large Aircraft Security Program. Learn more about the regional group networking session.

Financing an Aircraft May Be Easier, but Lenders Insist on Transparency
The worst of the country's financial crisis may be over, but its impact on business aviation is not, as banks, leasing companies and other lenders more closely scrutinize the credit worthiness of borrowers and the quality of the aircraft being financed. Despite some perceptions, however, lenders are making more loans to those who qualify, although standards are much tighter than those that existed before the economic downturn. Read more about the financing and leasing update held at NBAA2011.

Panelists Say, When Buying Business Aircraft, Consult Experts
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when buying a business aircraft is never go through the process on your own. That's especially true for first-time buyers, panelists said during a Convention session. Instead, surround yourself with a knowledgeable team of experts who understand the intricacies of insurance, state and federal tax laws, and FAA regulations. Read more of the panelists' tips about buying business aircraft.

First-Ever GA Desk Operation on Exhibit Floor
For a decade, NBAA has staffed one of only two non-FAA desks at the agency's Air Traffic Control System Command Center, whose mission is to balance air traffic demand with National Airspace System capacity. This week for the first time, representatives from NBAA's GA Desk staffed the desk directly from the NBAA Convention show floor, which was equipped to provide all of the services the staff typically offers to GA Desk subscribers. Learn more about the GA Desk as a Member benefit, and view a video about GA Desk activities at NBAA2011.

NBAA Static Display of Aircraft Continues to Evolve
For many Attendees, especially those in the market for a new airplane, the Static Display of Aircraft is always a mandatory stop during the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention. This year's Static Display of Aircraft at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) featured 85 aircraft, 37 Exhibitors, 50 tents and numerous chalets spread over 630,000 square feet. Learn more about this year's display at HND.

Students See Diversity of Business Aviation Careers Up Close
More than 100 university students came to NBAA2011 on the third day of the Convention to learn more about working in the industry and to take part in Careers in Business Aviation Day activities. Students heard inspiring stories from aviation industry speakers, as well as from representatives of the University Aviation Association and Women in Aviation International. After the morning program, the students had the opportunity to walk the exhibit floor and see the latest technology and the many diverse companies in business aviation. Learn more about the career-mentoring activities.

Combs Gates Award Presented to Documentary Filmmaker
During NBAA2011, the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) presented its Combs Gates Award to independent documentary filmmaker Heather Taylor, with the help of aviation luminaries like Harrison Ford, Gene Cernan, Bob Hoover and others. NAHF President Phil Roberts presented Taylor with the award for directing and producing Breaking Through The Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby, which documents the first Women's National Air Derby, which was held in 1929. Learn more about the Combs Gates Award presentation.

Fifty Convention Presentations Now Online
More than 50 presentations from NBAA2011 are now available online via the Online News Bureau web site. Download presentation files from a wide range of sessions, including flight department e-training and e-recordkeeping, global business aviation issues, tips on buying a business aircraft, best practices in corporate shuttle operations, NextGen equipage, supplemental lift and more. Review the NBAA2011 Presentations page.

Find More NBAA2011 Highlights at the Online News Bureau
Though NBAA's 64th Annual Meeting & Convention has come to a close, you can continue to view highlights from this week's show via the NBAA2011 Online News Bureau. The site provides articles, video, podcasts, presentations, photo galleries and profiles from the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Explore the NBAA2011 Online News Bureau site.