NBAA2012 Set to Demonstrate Value of Business Aviation
Opening tomorrow in Orlando, FL, NBAA's 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) will provide a range of exciting programs designed to demonstrate the value of business aviation to communities, companies and citizens, both in the United States and abroad. The show will feature host of notable presenters, including U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) as a late addition to the Tuesday Opening General Session lineup, joining Congressman John L. Mica (R-7-FL) and other distinguished speakers. Two aircraft displays showing a total of 105 aircraft and more than 1,000 Exhibitors will be part of this year's show, and Attendees will have access to dozens of education sessions about every trend and topic in focus for business aviation today. To learn more, visit the Online News Bureau site or view a video featuring NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

Convention Again Ranked in Top Five U.S. Trade Shows
NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention has risen back to fifth place in the ranking of largest U.S. trade shows based on square footage of exhibits following NBAA2011 last year in Las Vegas, NV, according to Trade Show Executive. The show's previous ranking was eighth. The release of the rankings comes as the industry is gathering for NBAA2012. “This recognition by Trade Show Executive confirms that NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention is one of the largest marketplaces not just in our industry, but in any industry,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Read more about the continued growth of NBAA’s Convention.

Honeywell Forecasts Modest Growth Into the Next Decade
Expect three years of modest growth followed by slightly higher gains extending into the next decade. That’s the forecast coming from Honeywell Aerospace, which released its 21st Annual Business Aviation Forecast on Oct. 28, just prior to the opening of NBAA2012. The forecast also predicts that nearly 10,000 new business jets, valued at about $250 billion, will be delivered between 2012 and 2022. Honeywell officially labeled 2011 as the trough of the downturn, which began in 2009, and predicts a 9 percent gain in deliveries in 2012 over last year. Read more of Honeywell’s forecast.

FAA Proposes Tougher Noise Rules for Future Helicopters
The FAA has unveiled plans to require newly designed helicopters to be quieter than existing rotorcraft, a move it says would benefit the public while promoting consistency with international standards. Although the FAA insists that existing helicopters, classified as either Stage 1 or Stage 2 aircraft, will not be affected by the rule, the Helicopter Association International has indicated that stronger language should be included in the plans, clarifying that existing helicopters are exempt. Read more about the proposed rule.

Be Prepared for ICAO Flight Plan Filing Changes
Effective on Nov. 15 at 0001z (Nov. 14 at 7:01 p.m. ET), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will require the use of the new filed flight plan (FPL) for all international flights. The new ICAO flight plan form includes two main changes: First, there will be several changes to the alphanumeric qualifiers for Item 10, Equipment & Capabilities. Second, there will be significant changes to Item 18, Other Information. These two changes to the form will require much greater detail about the various types of communications, navigation and surveillance equipment installed in an aircraft. Learn more about flight plan filing requirements.

Advocacy Again Front and Center at NBAA2012
The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is not just a marketplace; it is the ultimate forum for industry advocacy. NBAA2012 is underscoring the importance and value of business aviation in multiple ways, as well as offering Attendees new tools and opportunities to communicate that vital message to elected officials. "The NBAA Convention is the largest business aviation event in the world," noted Lisa Piccione, NBAA's senior vice president, government affairs, "and it presents a strong reminder of the importance of business aviation to local, regional, national and worldwide economies." Read more about the advocacy efforts at NBAA2012.

New Business Aviation Fact Book Now Online
The Association has released a new edition of the NBAA Business Aviation Fact Book, a comprehensive profile of the industry that provides real-world information and data about the value of business aviation in the United States. Included in the new edition are updates to data tables and company profiles, as well as new information about the value of general aviation airports to the nation's economy and air transportation system. Order a copy of the NBAA Business Aviation Fact Book.

Alabama Governor Proclaims GA Appreciation Month
Gov. Robert Bentley recently proclaimed October 2012 as General Aviation (GA) Appreciation Month, making Alabama the 46th state to recognize the value of general aviation since the beginning of the No Plane No Gain campaign. Bentley cited a "first round" economic impact of $800 million annually from GA. In addition, the 300-plus aviation and aerospace companies in the state directly and indirectly employ more than 150,000 workers, for a total annual payroll of more than $6 billion. Read more about general aviation in Alabama.

Huerta: Part 23 Changes May Cut Certification Costs
FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta said earlier this month he expects the joint industry-FAA committee reforming FAR Part 23 to recommend a better rulemaking approach that will allow more design innovation and cut certification costs for new light aircraft. Committee participants include Eli Cotti, NBAA's director, technical operations, and Greg Bowles, committee co-chair and director, manufacturing and engineering for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. "More aircraft design innovation and technology implementation in a more efficient manner is what it's about," said Cotti. "Those of us serving on this FAR Part 23 reform committee believe the changes will benefit everyone concerned: manufacturers, buyers, pilots and the thousands of companies that depend on light aircraft to serve their customers and keep their companies profitable." Read more about the committee's work.

EU-ETS Update Will Be Provided at NBAA2012
"EU-ETS: Compliance in 2013 and Beyond" will be one of the featured sessions at NBAA2012 this week. Although operators have spent the past two years preparing for full EU-ETS implementation, Adam Hartley, supervisor of regulatory services at Universal Weather & Aviation, said the "rubber is about to hit the road" in 2013 when the trading scheme actually begins operation. EU-ETS has sparked outrage among countries outside of the European Union – especially since the amount of carbon emissions used to calculate the credits needed by an operator is determined from the flight's point of origin rather than from its point of entry into EU airspace. Both the U.S. House and Senate have passed measures prohibiting American operators from participating in EU-ETS. Read more about the EU-ETS session at NBAA2012.

President Obama Cuts Short Orlando Visit; Flight Restrictions Into Area Lifted
President Obama departed Orlando early this morning instead of participating in an anticipated campaign visit in the city. The temporary flight restriction (TFR) that had been put in place for Orlando-area airports was removed shortly after the president departed, and therefore, all flights into and out of Orlando-area airports are now expected to operate as usual. Learn more and review the latest VIP TFRs.

Official NBAA2012 App Receives Thumbs Up From Users
The official NBAA2012 mobile app has garnered rave reviews from users – even before the Convention gets underway tomorrow. Powered by FollowMe and created by Core-Apps LLC, the NBAA2012 app is available for iPhone and Android smartphones, with a version optimized for use on the iPad introduced this year. The free application includes an Exhibitor Directory with booth locations and company descriptions, as well as an interactive exhibit floor plan for the Orange County Convention Center and the complete schedule of education sessions. Read more about the NBAA2012 mobile app.

Association to Produce Daily, Convention-Focused Editions of NBAA Update
To keep Members informed about the happenings at the world's largest civil aviation trade show this week, NBAA will produce daily, special editions of the NBAA Update e-newsletter during each day of the show. In conjunction with the Online News Bureau, the special Convention editions of each publication will provide daily reports of event news and highlights. For all of NBAA's on-site show coverage, including video, podcasts, photo galleries and more, visit the official NBAA2012 Online News Bureau site.

NBAA to Recognize Private Pilots in 2013 Safety Award Program
In 2013, the Association for the first time will recognize private pilots for outstanding safe flying achievement as part of its Flying Safety Awards Program. Many NBAA Members in the light business airplane (LBA) community have flown safely for business for decades with a private pilot certificate. NBAA's new Private Pilot Safety Award has been created to provide official recognition for the safety achievements of this LBA segment. Read more about the new award category.

Students, Local Aviation Community Admitted Free to NBAA2012 on Nov. 1
Following tradition, the Association will open the final day of its Convention to both college students and members of the local business aviation community to mark Aviation Community Day. Members of Florida's business aviation community, along with students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and other colleges throughout the state, are invited to visit the exhibits and static displays at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando Executive Airport free of charge on Nov. 1. Read more about Aviation Community Day.

NBAA Marks the Passing of Scott E. Miller, First Associate Member Advisor
NBAA recently marked the passing of its first Associate Member company advisor Scott E. Miller, Sr., who died in August at the age of 93. Miller was the first person to serve as an Associate Member advisor to the NBAA Board of Directors, a role that has evolved into today's Associate Member Advisory Council, a 21-member standing committee vital to the Association's governance. Read more about Miller.