NBAA2012 Dedicated to Legacy of Neil Armstrong
At the Opening General Session of NBAA's 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) today in Orlando, FL, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen officially dedicated this year's show to the legacy of American hero Neil Armstrong, NASA astronaut and business aviation advocate. "Neil Armstrong was a very humble giant," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "He never sought the spotlight, 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." Learn more about NBAA's tribute to Armstrong's legacy.

New 'No Plane No Gain' Efforts Detailed at NBAA2012 Media Breakfast
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today unveiled new efforts to promote the grassroots value of business aviation – including a new media campaign emphasizing the industry's size and importance – to members of the aviation press at the No Plane No Gain Media Kickoff Breakfast, held on Oct. 30 prior to the official opening of NBAA2012. "We want to show the diversity of people and companies that are using business aviation to succeed," Bolen said at the early-morning event. "So we're showcasing companies that policymakers will likely know and respect, but also businesses that may not be as well known, so that members of Congress will understand that business aviation is a diverse composite." Read more about the new No Plane No Gain efforts.

Study Highlights Business Aviation Value During 'The Great Recession'
NBAA today 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.

NBAA Unveils 'No Plane No Gain' Advertising at Convention
A new media campaign emphasizing the size, importance and diversity of the business aviation community was unveiled today 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. Earlier this month, NBAA unveiled new broadcast advertising the Association has placed with the popular PBS Series, The Aviators. Learn more about the new No Plane No Gain ads.

GAMA Says State of Industry Remains a 'Mixed Picture'
Caroline Daniels, chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), said the state of the industry remains a "mixed picture." Daniels, along with GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce and NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, shared their perspectives during this morning's Media Kickoff Breakfast. "This year we have seen continued growth in corporate profits and in global gross domestic product figures, which are both good signs for future shipments," Daniels said. "Flight hours have gradually been on the rise. And the international marketplace – particularly Asia and Latin America – continues to present opportunities for business aviation. Read more about Daniel's presentation.

JetNet iQ Survey Finds More Optimism Among Respondents
Add JetNet to the list of forecasters predicting a turnaround for the business aircraft market. The Utica, NY-based aviation market intelligence firm released results from its 2012 Third Quarter JetNet iQ survey on Oct. 30 during a "State of the Market" briefing at NBAA2012. JetNet forecasts a 10-year growth cycle starting this year and lasting into the next decade. The company predicts that 10,424 business jets, with a total value of $253 billion, will be delivered over the period – figures which track closely to those forecast on Oct. 28 by Honeywell Aerospace. Read more about the JetNet survey results.

Video: New Economic Tool Shows Value of GA
The Alliance for Aviation Across America has created a new web tool to clearly illustrate the economic value of business aviation. With the click of a mouse, users can roll over a map and immediately see the economic benefits each state derives from general aviation. The site features a pop-up box highlighting the state's airports, the number of employees at each facility, the airport's total benefit to the local economy and more. View this and other NBAA2012 videos.

Two Industry Leaders Honored at NBAA Awards Luncheon
As much as NBAA2012 is about looking to the future of business aviation, it's also about celebrating those who have shaped the industry into what it is today. At this year's Awards Luncheon, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen presented two former NBAA directors, Robert E. Breiling and Steve Nielsen, with the John P. "Jack" Doswell Award and John H. Winant Award, respectively. Read more about the NBAA award winners.

NBAA's Top Journalism Awards Presented to Robert Goyer and Matt Thurber
NBAA presented its top honors for excellence in journalism today at NBAA2012. The 2012 David W. Ewald Platinum Wing Award was presented to Robert Goyer, editor in chief at Flying magazine, and the 2012 NBAA Gold Wing Award was presented to Matt Thurber, senior editor of AIN Publications. Read more about NBAA's journalism award winners.

Four New Directors Join CAM Governing Board
NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Governing Board added four new directors at its annual business meeting today during NBAA2012. Charles Booker, captain and safety program manager for The Coca-Cola Company, and Elizabeth Clark, executive director of Women in Corporate Aviation International, were both elected to their first term on the governing board. The group also appointed two new members – Dr. MaryJo Smith, assistant professor of aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Blair Robson, manager of aviation maintenance for ExxonMobil – and re-elected Kellie Rittenhouse, director of aviation services for Hangar Aviation Management, to a second three-year term. Learn more about the CAM Governing Board.

View and Share Your Favorite Scenes From the Convention
Throughout all three days of NBAA2012, the Association will be posting photo galleries on a wide range of scenes from the Convention, from speakers and education sessions, to the exhibit booths and aircraft displays. Today's featured galleries depict this morning's Media Kickoff Breakfast as well as shots of virtually every business aircraft on the Static Display of Aircraft at Orlando Executive Airport, with additional aircraft images still to be added. Plus, the gallery makes it easy to share your favorite images on Twitter and Pinterest. View the NBAA2012 photo galleries.