Professional Pilot, October 2018

VIEWPOINTS an editorial opinion Bolen Demonstrating industry strength with our response to bizav challenges Rockwood Electric aircraft are coming with a variety of approaches Kioussis The difference between cost to cure and diminution of value Every year NBAA BACEs static display showcases the latest offerings from OEMs including Bombardier Daher Dassault Embraer Gulfstream Pilatus and Textron Aviation VTOL aircraft also have a strong presence with Airbus Helicopters Bell Leonardo MD and Sikorsky touting their products Ed Bolen President CEO NBAA Business aviations response to challenges demonstrates industrys strength As we look toward NBAAs annual Business Aviation Convention Exhibition NBAA BACE taking place Oct 16 18 in Orlando FL we have an opportunity to reflect upon a milestone year for business aviation which has demonstrated the importance of engagement throughout our aviation community against significant challenges including policy matters like the ongoing debate over privatization of ATC services and affairs outside the legislative arena such as concerns over a future shortage of professionals in our industrys workforce When it comes to the matter of ATC privatization theres certainly reason for optimism As we know the business aviation community was part of a large diverse and vocal coalition that signaled to Congress its strong opposition to the idea Legislation passed the House earlier this year to reauthorize funding for the FAA without any call for the controversial scheme and at this writing the Senates version of the bill which also sets aside ATC privatization is under consideration Without question this milestone has only been reached because NBAA members and others in the business aviation community have made their voices heard on the issue In the time since NBAA BACE 2017 people in the industry have logged countless phone calls emails and face to face meetings with their elected officials to express unified opposition to ATC privatization 16 PROFESSIONAL PILOT October 2018 While this level of mobilization has been key to our success this is not a moment to let our guard down After all as the saying goes the hardest thing to do in Washington is kill a bad idea Recent comments from congressional lawmakers government agency leaders and even the White House give us ample reason to stay vigilant and ensure that the nations ATC system continues to serve the entire publics interest including those citizens companies and communities served by general aviation and is overseen by the publics elected representatives in Congress Of course as we know our challenges arent only those emanating from Washington DC In recent years as I participate in industry gatherings across the country one consistent theme raised with increasing emphasis has been the need to attract and retain the next generation of professionals to our industry Im pleased to report NBAA and its members are working across several fronts on this important issue including the promotion of mentorships as a proven method for encouraging and nurturing the development of current and future industry professionals Further supporting this aim is the extensive series of Professional Development Program PDP courses offered by NBAA and our accredited Certified Aviation Manager CAM program which is open to anyone working in business aviation in any position NBAA also awards more than 100000 in annual scholarships for those seeking their own entry into our industry or to advance further in their careers Each of these initiatives in its own way demonstrate how business aviation is not only a vital industry in our country but were also a community prepared to respond both collectively and as individuals to the multitude of challenges confronting us That is a theme we should carry with us as we gather in Orlando this October for NBAA BACE Photo by José Vásquez