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.

FMI: www.nbaa.org