EAA Represents Recreational Aviation at NBAA's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)

NBAA-BACE took place earlier this month, and is the ultimate display of what’s going on in the world of business aviation in the U.S. and around the world. It’s a fantastic event that features all aspects of business aviation. This could lead you to ask the question; what does this organization have to do with recreational aviation?

The simple answer to that question is that NBAA members have many of the same interests as EAA members. A recent example of this has been the joining of both these organizations to oppose the privatization of air traffic control. Any aviation activity that doesn’t fall under the category of military or air carrier operations falls under the broad definition of, ‘General Aviation.’ To use a metaphor, if general aviation could be likened to a cruise ship, NBAA and EAA would be sitting in deck-chairs right next to each other. The following information comes from EAA about their appearance at NBAA-BACE.

Attendees of the annual National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Florida, had the opportunity to get a first look at EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience. This new outreach effort debuted as a part of the indoor static display last week at the Orange County Convention Center. EAA staffers and members from EAA Chapter 74 (Orlando) were on hand to give visitors the grand tour.

It was a great opportunity for a debut operation and let industry partners experience the spirit of aviation in person. The responses were overwhelmingly positive from attendees and media alike.  Guests commented about the hands-on STEM activities sponsored by FliteTest and Aircraft Spruce, and how they will draw the attention of younger generations of future aviators to EAA. Crowd favorites were the 360-degree virtual reality experience that put the user right in Oshkosh to learn more about EAA; and flying in a spot-landing contest on one of two Redbird TD flight simulators. Many participants remarked on fond memories of being in Oshkosh for the world’s greatest aviation celebration, and how it remains a dream adventure for the future.

A special Facebook Live event was held on the second day of the conference allowing all EAA fans to get a look at the Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience and its innovative approach at taking aviation out on the road to enthusiasts around the country.

After a successful first outing for the Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience, the EAA team will start preparing for a full tour in 2017 starting at U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, FL, January 25-28 and then at the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In at Lakeland, FL, April 5-9.

To view a video-tour of the Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience, use the link provided below.

(Image provided in an EAA press release)

FMI: Spirit of Aviation Mobile Experience