Looking Out for the Little Guy

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) will imminently host its first-annual Small Operators Symposium—a free online community event (webinar) conceived of to benefit operators of four or fewer aircraft. The virtual event is intended to build on the success of the in-person symposium held annually at the association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

Dubbed Urgent PIREP: Small Flight Department Administration, the webinar is open to all and will feature aircraft operators and industry experts versed in the complexities of flight department management. The comprehensive, two-hour event is slated to get underway Tuesday, 20 June at 15:00 EDT.

NBAA Operations Manager Noah Yarborough stated: “Our annual Small Operators Symposium has been a critical part of NBAA-BACE since we introduced the event in 2018. After last year’s symposium, we asked attendees for their feedback, and our members overwhelmingly supported a mid-year forum that continued the conversations we had at NBAA-BACE and introduced these discussions to a broader audience.”

Mr. Yarborough added: “NBAA understands and values the importance of small operators, and we are excited to launch this new annual, virtual Small Operators Symposium to support the growth and success of our vibrant small operator community.”

The NBAA’s inaugural online Small Operators Symposium will focus on the successful administration of small flight departments. Four industry experts will delve into the various means by which flight department managers may successfully navigate the insurance, training, legal, and personnel facets peculiar to Part 91 and Part 135 aircraft operations.

Webinar attendees will hear from:

• Joe Williams: senior vice president and managing director of aviation at Marsh McLennan Agency. Mr. Williams will discuss the intricacies of insurance policies and underwriters, the importance of umbrella insurance policies, and pilot-training under FAR Part 61.55.
• Greg Burris: director of aviation at Masco Corporation. Mr. Burris will provide insights germane to the integration of new, less-experienced pilots into small flight departments while complying with compulsory insurance policies.
• David Norton: partner and head of the aviation legal firm Shackelford, Melton, McKinley & Norton, LLP. Mr. Norton will address the critical matter of balancing operational control and aircraft leases, and the best practices by which to ensure the former is vigorously maintained.
• Michael Kolich: partner at Jetlaw, LLC. Mr. Kolich will set forth the legal ramifications of hiring contract pilots and means by which to integrate such into extant payroll systems.

At the conclusions of their presentations, the aforementioned, one and all, will answer attendees’ questions.

Mr. Yarborough concluded: “Business aviation’s success is premised on the prosperity and growth of small operators. Through the efforts of our Domestic Operations Committee and our Small Flight Department Subcommittee, NBAA is leading the charge to enhance operational and administrative best practices for smaller operators. This new virtual symposium is the latest in a constantly-evolving portfolio of critical tools, like our CAM-credit Small Operator Learning Series, which helps small operators create a safer and more efficient working environment.”

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of operational, managerial, and regulatory data germane to the safe, efficient, and cost-effective utilization of business aircraft. The association’s stated mission is “to foster an environment that allows business aviation to thrive in the United States and around the world.”

FMI: www.nbaa.org