Electronics Pioneer, Business Aviator Bill Crutchfield to Speak at NBAA2012
NBAA's Annual Meeting & Convention is always a good opportunity to showcase the value of business aviation to companies of all sizes, across the U.S. That tradition will continue later this month when Bill Crutchfield, founder of consumer electronics firm Crutchfield Corporation and avid business aviation proponent, joins other government and industry leaders on the stage as one of the featured speakers at the NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) Opening General Session on Oct. 30. Crutchfield, who built his award-winning firm – one of the largest and most recognized specialty-direct retailers in the world – through a fierce dedication to customer service, will discuss how business flying has not only strengthened his company, but has helped hone his own leadership skills. Read more about Crutchfield.

FAA Clarifies Definition of Aircraft Approach Categories
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released SAFO 12005 to ensure aircraft operators and pilots are aware that an aircraft is certified for only one approach category – according to maximum certificated landing weight – and that the category remains fixed despite day-to-day operational changes in landing weight. The aircraft approach category used during an instrument approach is determined by the aircraft's Vref at the maximum certificated landing weight or 1.3 Vso at the maximum certificated landing weight, and pilots must not use lower-than-certificated categories when conducting instrument approaches. Review further details and view the SAFO.

NBAA's Small Aircraft Exemption Renewed by FAA
The FAA has once again granted a request from NBAA to extend Exemption 7897, more commonly known as NBAA's Small Aircraft Exemption, which was set to expire Sept. 30. This latest extension, Exemption 7897E, expires on March 31, 2013, and is unchanged from previous versions. Available only to Members, NBAA's Small Aircraft Exemption allows operators of piston-powered airplanes, small airplanes and all helicopters to utilize the limited options for cost reimbursement permitted under FAR Part 91, Subpart F. Read more about the exemption.

NBAA Has Video to Prepare Operators for EASA-Mandated TCAS Change 7.1
Last December, the European Aviation Safety Agency issued a mandate requiring aircraft operating in European airspace to upgrade their traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS) to Change 7.1 software. Change 7.1 is a wing-loadable software upgrade that provides clear and concise resolution advisory commands for faster reaction time and increased avoidance performance. NBAA has posted a video online, presented by Dennis McCole of ACSS, providing an overview of the software upgrade. View the TCAS Change 7.1 video.

New Mexico Once Again Recognizes the Value of GA
Gov. Susana Martinez declared September 2012 "New Mexico General Aviation Appreciation Month," noting aviation in the state supports 48,975 jobs and generates $1.3 billion in payroll annually. Tourists to New Mexico arriving by GA are responsible for more than $61 million of economic benefit annually to the state, Martinez said, "GA and community airports play a critical role in the lives and safety of our citizens, as well as in the operation of our businesses, ranches and farms." The proclamation was the second such official recognition of the value of general aviation in the Land of Enchantment; a similar proclamation was issued in 2010 by then-Gov. Bill Richardson. Read more about GA in New Mexico.

Upcoming ADS-B Mandates Require Planning Ahead
The FAA's Jan. 1, 2020, deadline for aircraft to be equipped with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast "out" (ADS-B Out) systems is approaching sooner than it might seem. A fundamental part of "NextGen," ADS-B Out will supersede radar systems for the purposes of air traffic control's tracking of aircraft. "It promises to be an interesting eight years ahead, as we move forward towards this rule," said Honeywell's Chris Benich. "It's important for operators to communicate with avionics manufacturers to determine what they will need to comply with the mandate." For more on ADS-B, register for NBAA's live webinar on Oct. 17 or read the Business Aviation Insider article.

Rise of Russian Business Aviation Coincides With Calls to Ease Regulations
The recent Jet Expo aviation exhibition highlighted the growing interest in business aviation throughout Russia and across Eastern Europe, as well as the need to ease restrictions on aircraft operations in the region. Alexander Evdokimov, general director of Jet Transfer Business Aviation and one of the organizers of Jet Expo, said approximately 100 companies exhibited at this year's event. "That's a bit of an increase from past years, but less than in 2008," he said, adding that an expanded static display featured approximately 50 business aircraft from multiple international manufacturers. The event was held Sept. 27 to 29 at Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport. Read more about the expo.

Seattle Regional Forum Caps a Week of Promoting Aviation
The Pacific Northwest's strong aviation heritage and a commitment to educating the next generation of aviation professionals were recently demonstrated through a week of events in Seattle, WA, concluding on Sept. 20 with NBAA's final Business Aviation Regional Forum of 2012. Hosted by Clay Lacy Aviation at Boeing Field/King Co. International Airport (BFI), the NBAA Regional Forum was held in conjunction with other regional events sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association. Altogether, the NBAA event featured 77 Exhibitors and 17 aircraft on display and was attended by nearly 1,000 people. Read more about the recent Seattle events.

Van Nuys Runway Rehab Project Will Minimize Downtime
Rehabilitation of Van Nuys Airport's (VNY) 8,000-foot-long primary runway is slated to start in February, funded mainly by an $18.4 million FAA Airport Improvement Program grant awarded on Sept. 7. The project's success is a testament to collaboration among members of the Van Nuys Airport Association, a nonprofit tenants group; NBAA; and the Los Angeles World Airports. If all goes according to plan, the contractor should begin construction in February 2013, and the work is expected to last eight to nine months. Read more about the VNY runway project.

Denver Aviation Safety Symposium Scheduled for Oct. 5
The Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA), in partnership with the Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver Department of Aviation & Aerospace Science, will hold an Aviation Safety Symposium on Oct. 5. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, and lunch will be served. For more information, contact NBAA's Steve Hadley at shadley@nbaa.org, or visit the CABA site.

Arizona Safety Day on Nov. 13 Approved for CAM Credit
The first-ever Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA) Safety Day on Nov. 13 has been approved for NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credit. Participants will be eligible to earn one point toward qualifying for the CAM exam or CAM recertification. The safety day takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains. NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown will be among the featured speakers. This year's program will cover safety culture in an SMS, handling medical problems when traveling and more. For more information and to register, visit the AZBAA site.

NBAA Unveils Updated Mobile App for 2012 Convention
As Members prepare for NBAA2012, an update mobile app can help guide their planning for the event. First introduced last year to outstanding reviews, the NBAA2012 mobile app is available for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry and any web-capable smartphone, as well as for iPad tablets. With a full, up-to-date map of the Orange County Convention Center exhibit areas, the free app will enable users to easily find exhibit booths, descriptions of products and services by category, and a wealth of other information related to the show. Read more about the NBAA2012 app.

Five Tips for NBAA2012 Attendees in Orlando
The art of business aviation is, in large part, the art of successful anticipation – leaving as little to chance as possible. NBAA Vice President of Exhibits Linda Peters believes the same is true of attending NBAA2012, and she has five tips for attending this year's event, which will be held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center and Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Executive Airport. Read the five tips for a successful Convention.

New Jersey Group Presents Bolen With Advocacy Award
At the New Jersey Aviation Association's luncheon on Sept. 19 in Princeton, NJ, the group presented its prestigious Excellence In Aviation Award to NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown accepted the award on Bolen's behalf. Bolen is the third individual to receive the award, which recognizes leaders for their work on behalf of the industry.