The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) says that FAA
Administrator Marion C. Blakey and US Congressman John L. Mica
(Congressional voting schedule permitting) will be the featured
Opening General Session keynote speakers for the NBAA 56th Annual
Meeting & Convention, Tuesday, October 7 to Thursday, October
9, 2003, in Orlando (FL).
Marion Blakey
Marion Blakey was sworn in
September 13, 2002, as the 15th Administrator of the FAA. In this
position, Blakey is responsible for regulating and advancing the
safety of the US airways system as well as operating the world's
largest air traffic control system.
Prior to being named FAA Administrator, Blakey served as
chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Born in
Gadsden (AL), Blakey received her bachelor's degree with honors in
international studies from Mary Washington College of the
University of Virginia. She also attended Johns Hopkins
University's School of Advanced International Studies for graduate
work in Middle East affairs.
John Mica
Currently serving his sixth term, John L. Mica
was first elected to the US Congress in 1992 to represent the 7th
Congressional District of Florida, which includes Orlando. Mica is
a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Government Reform Committee and the House
Administration Committee.
As a recognized national
transportation leader, Mica was named chairman of the Subcommittee
on Aviation in 2001, which has oversight on the FAA and the NTSB,
as well as all matters relating to civil aviation. A resident of
Central Florida since 1972, the Congressman graduated from the
University of Florida in 1967 and Miami-Dade Community College in
1965.
The NBAA 56th Annual Meeting & Convention will feature close
to 30,000 Attendees, 1,000 Exhibitors, 75 Informational Sessions
and 135 aircraft on Static Display at Orlando Executive Airport. To
help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first powered, manned
flight, on display will be the most authentic replica of the 1903
Wright Flyer, which will fly on December 17 at Kitty Hawk, NC. This
exhibit is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association,
Eclipse Aviation, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft Flight Simulator
and NBAA. Also on display will be vintage aircraft simulators and
authentic artifacts provided by the Franklin Institute.