Chief Pilots Roundtable Receives Policy Updates at NBAA Headquarters

Oct. 9, 2015

The Chief Pilots Roundtable, an industry group representing business aviation flight departments, received updates on unmanned aircraft system (UAS) regulations, FAA reauthorization legislation, access to Cuba and other policy topics during an Oct. 7 meeting at NBAA headquarters in Washington, DC.

Nearly two dozen roundtable members attended the briefings, which were conducted by representatives of the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration, the office of Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and the International Business Aviation Council, as well as by NBAA staff and a private law firm. NBAA hosts such get-togethers for the roundtable annually.

“The Chief Pilots Roundtable is an important group to NBAA, so we are always glad to organize these meetings and learn what issues are of concern to roundtable members,” said Brian Koester, NBAA operations manager. “Equally important, we give them an opportunity to hear from – and provide feedback to – key policymakers.”

Jeffrey M. Daniels, CAM, aviation manager for International Aircraft Operations S.A., said the meeting is one of the most important sessions he attends each year.

“Regulatory bodies hear frequently from lobbyists and associations, but in this particular case, they hear directly from operators,” Daniels said. “It puts a real face on the people they regulate.”

Another leader of the pilots group said the update on UAS was especially timely because roundtable members are increasingly dealing with such aircraft. While some members consider them a potential safety hazard, others are being asked by their employers to use their flight expertise to help stand up UAS operations.

“We like to work with NBAA on these meetings because the association always helps ensure that we have the relevant people,” the group leader said.