Business Aviation Comes Together In Orlando, FL -- Part 4

With the end of the 2009 NBAA Convention, the BizAv community has had a chance to take stock of the year that has passed and evaluate their future prospects. While attendance and participation were obviously at lower levels than in year's past, the community showed that it is willing to do what it must to survive, and is seeking new opportunities and business venues as aggressive as the current economic climate allows.

This year's NBAA Opening Session featured four primary speakers... each with something to say that had an impact on the BizAv community. This year's roster included FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt; Forbes magazine publisher Rich Karlgaard; Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; and Golfer and Business Aviation Advocate Arnold Palmer. 

We shouldn't have been so surprised but everyone at ANN came away tremendously impressed by the case Golfing legend, Arnold Palmer, made for the world of aviation. Palmer provided what many called a "spirited defense" of business aviation. Having owned a dozen airplanes in his 52 years of flying, Palmer said he was upset when he heard about business aviation being mischaracterized and maligned. "Aviation is part of my life. Aircraft gave me a competitive edge in golf and business. I can't tell you how much it [flying] has meant to me."

Business aviation helped Palmer compete more effectively as a professional golfer and grow his business by providing efficient travel from his hometown of Latrobe, PA (population less than 10,000), which doesn't have airline service.

Speaking about the use of business aviation today, Palmer declared, "It doesn't make sense not to use business aircraft in a tough economy. You must use the necessary tools to do the job. Without an airplane, I wouldn't be here." 

FMI: www.arnoldpalmer.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, www.twitter.com/aeronews