Big Win On The Strip

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) wrapped up its Annual Convention in Las Vegas last week with excellent attendance and a roster of superb speakers and sessions.

"I don't think you could have asked for better or more informative speakers," said NATA president James Coyne.  "The insight gained from the CEOs sharing their thoughts on key industry issues at the Strategic Issues Breakfast alone made the entire week extremely worthwhile for all of our members."

Who's Who

Bombardier Business Aircraft president Peter Edwards, Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn, Dassault Falcon Jet president John Rosanvallon, Raytheon Aircraft CEO Jim Schuster, Gulfstream president of aircraft services Larry Flynn, and The New Piper Aircraft CEO Chuck Suma took part in a roundtable discussion that covered everything from when the new aircraft sales market might rebound to the changing fractional market.

Sessions were held on airport community relations, general aviation security, insurance and risk management, and fatigue management for air cargo operators.  Customer service guru Scott Gross presented a session on "Disruptive Technologies and Opportunities for Aviation Service Businesses."

And The Winner Is...

The association's industry excellence awards were presented at the Convention during a luncheon on Tuesday, May 13.  NATA chairman Gary Driggers and NATA president James Coyne presented the following awards:

• Excellence In Pilot Training -- Richard A. "Dick" Skovgaard, Director of the FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Florida
• ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award -- Ed Boyd, Technician, Garrett Aviation in Springfield, Illinois
• Aviation Journalism Award -- Edward H. Phillips, U.S. Southwest Bureau Chief, Aviation Week & Space Technology
• FAA Customer Service Excellence Award -- Washington, DC Flight Standards District Office
• Airport Executive Partnership Award -- Robert P. Olislagers, Executive Director, Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority/Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado
• Distinguished Service Award -- Thomas P. Slavin, President of Million Air Cleveland
• William A. Ong Memorial Award -- Gwen Mayo, Chairman, Mayo Aviation

Registered delegates at the NATA Convention numbered over 700 and Cygnus Expositions reported close to 5,000 attendees at The Aviation Services and Suppliers SuperShow, which was held in conjunction with the NATA Convention.

FMI: www.nata-online.org