Page 10 - Index

2018 NBAA-BACE: Optimism and Opportunity
A conversation with NBAA’s Ed Bolen
With only days remaining until the kick-off of the 2018 NBAA-BACE Convention & Exhibi- tion, the business aviation community prepares to gather for three days of impactful, educational and thought-provoking keynote speakers, forums and exhibits. In addition,
safety, emerging technologies and a focus on the emerging young leaders in business aviation will be among the major themes. All of this will take center stage at the upcoming convention scheduled for Oct. 16-18 in Orlando.
Last month, Twin & Turbine caught up with NBAA President Ed Bolen to discuss issues facing busi- ness aviation as well as what we can expect at this year’s convention.
Twin & Turbine: The Trump Administration’s push to spin off U.S. air traffic control from the FAA to a so-called government-chartered nonprofit board was a difficult battle, and it was ultimately defeated. What’s the key to ensuring the issue is not resurrected?
Bolen: Fifteen months ago, President Trump held a press conference at the White House and said that his administration wanted to push for so-called privatization of our air traffic control system. Congressman Bill Shuster, chair of the House transportation and infrastructure committee, also was there and the White House effectively at that point were endorsing the Shuster bill, which effectively handed over ATC to an entrenched group of special interests.
As we now know, it was not privatization, but it was labeled as privatization. At that point, our com- munity rallied like it had never has rallied before. It wasn’t just the business aviation community, but the entire general aviation community came together to say that we wanted to modernize our system, not privatize it. Spokespeople such as “Sully” Sullenberger, astronaut Jim Lovell, and former Blue Angels andThunderbirdspilots –peoplewhoseintegrityandauthenticitycouldnotbeimpeached–came forward to speak out. Also speaking out were business leaders who not only run world-class businesses, but are also pilots. Mayors from around the country were engaged.
But mostly it was our community. We were seeing that our members were sending emails and making phone calls to Capitol Hill in record numbers. It had an effect. So as a result, this past spring
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NBAA
by Dianne White
8 • TWIN & TURBINE
October 2018