NBAA Wraps Up a Highly Successful 2012 Convention
As the NBAA 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) came to a close last week, Association President and CEO Ed Bolen called it “a very good show.” The event closed with 25,150 registered attendees, a number comparable to the final totals in 2010 and 2011. “Attendees and Exhibitors at this year's show have told us that it was a very strong event, despite its timing alongside Hurricane Sandy’s landfall on the East Coast, and a temporary flight restriction for the Orlando area late on Sunday evening and Monday morning before the show,” Bolen said. “We’re delighted that, especially given those challenges, Convention participants reported strong traffic on the exhibit floor and at the aircraft static displays, along with a high level of enthusiasm among Attendees.” Learn more about NBAA2012 final results.

NBAA2012 Dedicated to Legacy of Neil Armstrong
NBAA2012 was dedicated to American hero Neil Armstrong, who was remembered for his numerous achievements as an astronaut and pilot, as well as his efforts to help the business aviation industry. “Neil Armstrong was a very humble giant. He never sought the spotlight,” said Association President and CEO Ed Bolen, “but when responsibility called, when challenges arose, Neil Armstrong always stepped forward. That was true for our country and it’s certainly been true for our industry.” When Washington policymakers were vilifying business aviation in the wake of the 2008 auto bailout, Armstrong joined the No Plane No Gain campaign sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) to help raise awareness of the industry’s value. Read more about Armstrong and NBAA2012.

Help Is on the Way: Business Aircraft Fly Supplies Into Areas Ravaged by Sandy
People throughout the northeastern United States are still without shelter, utilities and access to food and medical care in the aftermath from “Superstorm” Sandy. As federal agencies and charitable organizations help those in need, the business aviation community has stepped in to provide urgently needed assistance. “Operators have donated these aircraft and crews, and they are prepared to fly wherever and whenever they are needed,” said Douglas Schultz, board member of AERObridge, which coordinates donated aircraft for critical transport during disasters. As of Saturday evening, AERObridge had coordinated 32 flights, and been involved in more than 18 additional flights to five collection sites. Schultz estimated the organization had assisted in the delivery of 94,000 lbs. of relief supplies. Read more about relief efforts following Sandy.

Election 2012: See Where the Candidates Stand on Business Aviation
Tomorrow is Election Day, and you may have made your choice on who will garner your vote in the race for president, but what about the rest of the ballot? “It is so important that everyone make their voices heard and that you let people know how important business aviation is, what it means to jobs in the community and what in this economic climate we need to be doing to help this important industry grow and thrive,” pointed out Lisa Piccione, NBAA’s senior vice president for government affairs. So the Association created a website resource called Election 2012 to help industry professionals who want to make informed decisions at the polls Tuesday. Read more about Election 2012 resources.

Experts Offer Guidance for iPad Implementation in Flight Operations
The Apple iPad has undoubtedly found a home in many business aviation operations. The popular device makes it simple to make the move to a paperless cockpit, with apps for route planning, checking weather, viewing navigational charts and just about everything else. But using iPads in your flight operation involves more than just downloading some apps. A session at NBAA2012 titled "Training Solutions for Flight Deck iPad Implementation" stressed the importance of having a plan for training on the device. Read more about using an iPad in flight operations.

Cessna Launches Seventh Citation Olympics Airlift at NBAA2012
Cessna Aircraft Company is asking owners and operators of its Citation business jets to participate in the company's Citation Special Olympics Airlift, a coordinated program to fly more than 800 athletes and their coaches to the 2014 Games, which are scheduled for June in Princeton and Mercer County, NJ. "For many of our customers, Citation jets are critical business tools," said Rhonda Fullerton, Cessna’s airlift director. "The fact that so many owners volunteer such a valuable asset so these young special athletes can compete is pretty special in itself." Read more about the Cessna Special Olympics Airlift.

NBAA Unveils New 'No Plane No Gain' Advertising at Convention
A new media campaign emphasizing the size, importance and diversity of the business aviation community was unveiled last week during NBAA2012. Six new print advertisements promoting the message of the No Plane No Gain program are featured throughout Convention site at the Orange County Convention Center in hanging signage, displays on the show floor and in the NBAA press room, as well as in trade publications and other media outlets at the event. Last month, NBAA also unveiled new broadcast advertising the Association has placed with the popular PBS Series, The Aviators. The new ads build on other print and broadcast ads developed for the campaign in recent years. Learn more about the new No Plane No Gain ads.

Study Highlights Business Aviation Value During 'The Great Recession'
NBAA last week welcomed a new study showing that even during the worst economic times since the Great Depression, companies that relied on business aviation outperformed the field in important measures of shareholder value and recovered from the recession more quickly than their peers across a range of industries representing the U.S. economy. The study, titled, "Business Aviation: Maintaining Shareholder Value Through Turbulent Times," is the fourth in the Business Aviation Users study series by NEXA Advisors, LLC. The study concludes that companies in the S&P 500 that use business aviation achieved superior financial performance in a number of key measures and also displayed superior ability to respond to the severe downturn. Read more about the NEXA study.

Employee or Contractor? Avoid Pitfalls When Hiring Temporary Crew
The reasons why aircraft operators need temporary cockpit or cabin crew vary as widely as operator types. An absent crewmember may be vacationing; family emergencies may call them away; recurrent training and educational opportunities occasionally pull flightcrew away from their duties. Regardless of the reason, temporary crewmembers can fulfill operators' needs to keep their aircraft flying despite shortages of full-time personnel. For operators who use temporary crews, understanding, correctly classifying and accounting for temporary staff as either "contractor" or "employee" carries legal and financial implications. Read more in the latest edition of Business Aviation Insider.

Operating Environment in China Gradually Improving
While flying to and within China still can be challenging, operators, regulators and service providers who met last week at NBAA2012 agreed that improvements in the operating environment are occurring, albeit slowly. Flight department managers whose aircraft frequently fly to China compared notes with service providers and other country experts. From a regulatory perspective, one of the biggest issues for business aviation in China continues to be infrastructure, said Robyn Cicero, FAA foreign affairs specialist for Asia. Read more about business aviation in China.

NBAA, Regional Groups Commit to Deeper Collaboration
At its annual networking session, NBAA's Local & Regional Group Subcommittee announced a new commitment to enhance communication with regional groups and provide them tools for sharing ideas and resources. "Our vision is connecting the dots," said Don Hitch, of Roll Global, at the regional group networking session at NBAA2012. The subcommittee, Hitch said, "decided this year to make a new commitment to enhance communication with the groups and provide them tools for sharing ideas and resources." Read more about outreach efforts.

Greater St. Louis Group Providing DCA Access Program, Nov. 16
The Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) will hold workshop program at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 16 at Syberg's Dorsett in Maryland Heights, MO to focus on access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and address key changes that have been made to improve the DCA access program. Speakers will include Mary Miller of Signature Flight Support, Eric Moilanen of DCA Premier Corporate Security, Kurt Fritz of Allied Security and Mark Erickson of Enterprise Flight Operations. RSVP by Nov. 14 to GSLBAA at bevlebenbauer@sbcglobal.net. Direct questions to NBAA's Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org. Learn more about GSLBAA.

Trio of Tuskegee Airmen Recounts Trials and Triumphs
It's not often that civilians get an opportunity to express, face-to-face, their gratitude to those who defend the country. However, NBAA2012 attendees got that opportunity on Oct. 31, as NBAA presented the Tuskegee Airmen, the elite group of World War II African-American fighter pilots, with its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. The airmen "played a tremendous role in my life," said retired four-star general, “Thunderbirds” demonstration team leader and NBAA Board Member Lloyd "Fig" Newton, a session participant. "They gave me hope that the impossible was possible. They created an environment where we all can have dreams." Learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen.

NBAA Announces Re-election of Moore, Newton to Board of Directors
The Voting Membership of the NBAA re-elected two directors, Lloyd “Fig” Newton and Scott A. Moore, during its 65th Annual Meeting during NBAA2012. “Both of these individuals have proved to be outstanding Board Members, and we are happy to have them continue in this capacity,” said Richard Shine, chairman of the NBAA Board of Directors and CEO and chief pilot of Manitoba Corporation. Read more about the directors.

Online News Bureau Captures Convention Highlights
Throughout all three days of last week's NBAA2012 in Orlando, FL, the Association posted articles, videos and photo galleries on a wide range of scenes from the Convention, from speakers, award presentations and education sessions, to the exhibit booths and aircraft displays. For the first time, the Online Convention News Bureau features a photo gallery of every aircraft appearing on the two outdoor static displays – more than 100 total. Users can browse the images by both make/model and by company, and the gallery makes it easy to share your favorite images on Twitter and Pinterest. For highlights from the world's biggest business aviation show, visit the NBAA2012 Online News Bureau.

New Issue of Business Aviation Insider Now Online
The latest edition of Business Aviation Insider is now online, featuring a management theme. This edition showcases the value of business aviation in challenging economic times, with a story about NBAA Member Company Unifirst, which purchased an airplane and built a flight department during the bottom of the “Great Recession.” Printed copies are mailing to Member subscribers now. View Business Aviation Insider online or subscribe.