Veteran Pilot A Strong Supporter Of GA, Business Aviation

The NBAA announced Wednesday that participants in the Association's 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2009) will have an opportunity to hear first-hand from FAA Administrator J. Randolph "Randy" Babbitt, who will be a featured speaker at the Convention's Opening General Session.

Randy Babbitt

Babbitt seems to be making an effort to get out and talk to people in the industry. He had a high public profile at the recently-completed EAA AirVenture 2009 show at Oshkosh.

"We're delighted that Randy will be joining us at this year's Convention," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Randy is a veteran pilot and internationally recognized authority on aviation policy, and I know NBAA Members will be very interested to hear his thoughts on the FAA's priorities in the years to come."

Babbitt was sworn in as the FAA's 16th administrator on June 1. He has been a member of the agency's Management Advisory Council since 2001. Before becoming the FAA administrator, he provided guidance to the FAA on topics ranging from air traffic modernization to regulatory policy, and was chairman of the council from 2004 to 2006.

Babbitt has spent his life in aviation. He earned his pilot's certificate at age 16, and then worked as a certified flight instructor while attending college. He was a pilot for Eastern Airlines for 25 years and later served as president and CEO of the U.S. Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the world's largest professional organization of airline pilots.

NBAA's Convention will be held Orlando, FL, from October 20 to 22 at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando Executive Airport. The Association reported last month that the event is on track to continue its tradition as business aviation's most active marketplace.

In addition to the marketing and networking opportunities the Convention has long been known for, a primary emphasis of this year's show will be new Light Business Airplane Education Sessions designed to help concept buyers understand the considerations involved in purchasing a new airplane, as well as sessions to help NBAA Members quantify and communicate the value of their business aircraft.

Also appearing at the event's Opening General Session will be Forbes magazine publisher and business airplane owner and pilot Rich Karlgaard.

FMI: www.nbaa.org/2009