The Key Expo for Aero-Business, and We're There. Of Course!

Aviation Industry Week is the key showcase and networking opportunity for people that are in the business of general aviation in the USA. Aero-News's Jim Campbell couldn't make it, but we do have Kevin O'Brien at the Las Vegas show. As part owner of an FBO and Part 145 repair station he's well situated to see what the show brings to aviation businesses -- and as an all-round aviation buff and tech-head, he's well-placed to see and report what's "cool."

Aviation Industry Week shows what happens when powerful aviation groups pull together. In this case, the groups are NATA, the National Air Transportation Association, which is holding its 2005 Annual Convention, and PAMA, the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, which is concurrently holding its 34th Annual Aviation Maintenance Symposium. It is also the location of the Ground Support Equipment exhibition, GSE Expo International. 

NATA is an industry association for businesses in GA; it bills itself as "The Voice of Aviation Business," and helps these (usually small) businesses get heard in the halls of power, and share information.

PAMA is a voice for mechanics and repair stations -- one that is sorely needed. It also will be conducting its Maintenance Olympics this week. We hope to have some photos and tales of that competition -- it's a trip.

The Trade Show part of Aviation Industry Week is AS3. It's the Aviation Services and Suppliers Supershow, which has all kinds of aftermarket goods and services for everybody who's trying to make a small fortune in aviation. That dovetails nicely with the GSE Expo.

Ground Support Equipment is an essential part of serving modern GA. If you are in the light end of aviation, you get a weather brief, do a careful walk-around, and go fly. Many GA operators aren't that lucky -- a jet often needs, or benefits from, external power. Air ambulances need to recharge their oxygen frequently. And if you park a plane in some latitudes overnight, it WILL need deicing. Add stairs, ramps, cargo handling gear, tugs, powered towbars, and it adds up to a lot of neat "stuff." We'll show you some of the neatest!

FMI: www.nata.aero, www.pama.org