Sun, May 25, 2003
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.
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