We're In Tough Straits... But How Much Of That Is OUR Fault?

Cruising the exhibits and hallways of NBAA over the past few years, has been an exercise in quiet desperation. While much of the industry had resigned itself to suffering the unkind fate of bad press, negative attention from Washington, and a public image that was sliding from 'not so good' to 'pretty darn deplorable' this year's NBAA convention saw a whole new attitude taking shape.

It started Sunday morning, with the first of the pre-NBAA press conferences when Hawker Beech Boss Bill Boisture started off with a stirring and pointed rant at Washington… Complaining that not only was Washington off-base, but that he frankly didn't believe much of what they had to say anymore. Throughout the day and the rest of the event, a whole new attitude took shape… One in which people were no longer willing to quietly suffer the slings and arrows of our collective misfortunes, but instead had decided to get downright upset about it, even to the point of being very vocal and outspoken about the mistreatment this valuable industry has suffered at the hands of folks who clearly don't understand it.

At the same time, we at ANN feel duty-bound to call attention to a few troubling aspects of our problems by first pointing out that much of what is hurting us could have been headed off at the pass years ago, and that while being vocal and outspoken about the wrongs being done to us is a very good thing and long overdue, it's going to take concerted, organized, and insightful action to counter the damage that's being done to the business aviation world each and every day. Be that as it may, here's our take on the matter, as NBAA 2011 came to a close…

FMI: www.nbaa.gov, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews