Chairman Cunningham: "It's Been A Challenging Couple Of
Years."
Tuesday's NBAA2010 Media Kickoff Breakfast was an opportunity
for general aviation leaders to take a snapshot of the slowly
recovering industry and acknowledge the notable media coverage of
the sector during the past year. NBAA Chairman Pat Cunningham said,
"It has been a pretty challenging couple of years for business
aviation. But 2010 has been a year of stabilization, and you can
see that reflected in this year's show."
By Tuesday morning, some 22,000 people had registered to attend
NBAA2010, nearly 1,100 Exhibitors were on hand (slightly more than
last year), and the Static Display of Aircraft was sold out, with
90 aircraft on exhibit at Atlanta's DeKalb Peachtree Airport. Rob
Wilson, chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association
(GAMA), which traditionally co-hosts the breakfast, believes that
the longer-term outlook for business aviation is positive. On the
legislative front, he noted the recent enactment of "bonus"
(accelerated) depreciation legislation, which is expected to help
spur aircraft sales. "However, we all know that business aviation
continues to face a challenging economic climate," he added.
Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO, detailed the headway that
general aviation has made in restoring its image after auto
executives went to Washington, DC in business jets in 2008 to seek
taxpayer assistance. As an example, Bunce pointed to proclamations
from governors in 17 states formally recognizing the importance of
general aviation, and the growth of General Aviation Caucuses in
the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, which now include
approximately one third of federal legislators.
In addition, Congress has passed joint resolutions recognizing
the industry's efforts to provide relief to Haiti's earthquake
victims and reaffirming the role back-country airstrips play in
ensuring access for emergency missions and promoting local economic
activity.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen detailed the Association's
newest advocacy initiatives, which are designed to "keep the No
Plane No Gain campaign's message relevant and fresh." These
include:
- A new study, conducted by NEXA Advisors for NBAA, that
indicates small and mid-size companies enjoy the same benefits from
business aviation that large companies receive.
- The NBAA Business Aviation Fact Book, which contains industry
facts and figures from respected sources, including the FAA,
Department of Commerce and GAMA.
- An advocacy video titled "Business Aviation Works," which Bolen
called "the video version of the Fact Book because it provides
facts and real-world examples showing how business aviation is at
work in America today."
- The new "First-Fore-Most" ad campaign, which features three No
Plane No Gain spokespeople: Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk
on the moon; legendary golfer and businessman Arnold Palmer; and
Warren Buffett, widely recognized as America's most successful
investor. The new ad is displayed as a large banner at the
Convention this week.
NBAA also handed out its two annual journalism awards at the
breakfast. The 2010 Gold Wing Award was given to Stephen Pope from
Aviation International News, and the 2010 David W. Ewald Platinum
Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism was presented to
George C. Larson, senior editor at Business & Commercial
Aviation.