This Year's NBAA BACE Made Me 100,000 Times Happier
This year’s NBAA-BACE held in Las Vegas last month marks the 70th anniversary of the organization and just nine days after the horrific shooting, was the first major convention since the nightmare. Extra security was present in the form of added staff to check IDs and plenty of K-9s. I have luckily attended a handful of these conventions over the last 20 years, including last year’s Orlando location, and I must say, if you have any business in aviation, you must attend! If not for the educational seminars and the tactile touch and display of products and aircraft, the social aspect where new acquaintances today mean more profits and avenues tomorrow. While I will do my best to give my personal overview in this short article, NBAA did a more extensive and detailed summary that can be found at www.nbaa.org/events/bace/2017/newsroom.
The event featured about 1,100 exhibitors, including more than 100 new exhibitors. Attendees, estimated at 27,000, represented all 50 U.S. states and dozens of countries, according to NBAA. Approximately 100 aircraft were on static display, both at Henderson Executive Airport and inside the convention center.
Tuesday kicked off with the leaders of six influential general aviation (GA) advocacy groups delivering a powerful and coherent message of united opposition against ATC privatization during the “No Plane No Gain” Media Kick-Off Breakfast. All the acronyms were represented: NBAA, EAA, GAMA, HAI, NATA, and AOPA.
“This year, we mark NBAA’s 70th anniversary,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Starting at our first convention in 1950, 19 companies came together in a hotel to work together and pool their resources. They realized we could do more together than any company can do by itself. And today, we’ve grown to more than 11,000 members.
“We are always stronger together,” he continued. “As you know, aviation is a large, sprawling and thriving community. And when we work together, then our voice is heard in Washington. This year, our industry is facing an issue in Washington that will be decisive for the future of general aviation in this country.”
Bolen stated, “The GAO’s viewpoint is that ‘Privatization would delay modernization’ and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) sees $100B USD would be added to the U.S. deficit if NextGen was privatized.” The comments complemented the many decals, adorned T-shirts, and large banners and projected images readily seen throughout the convention.
Jack Pelton, CEO and chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), noted such an entity would have little incentive to consider operational concerns from the GA community. “Where would general aviation be at the end of the day, with the airlines calling the shots?” he continued. “It really could be catastrophic, as far as I’m concerned, in so many ways. We’ll get left out.”
NBAA and these other GA groups encourage the aviation community to visit the website www.ATCnotforsale.com for information on the privatization issue and to use that website and the telephone hotline 833/GA-VOICE to contact their elected representatives in Washington, DC and encourage these officials to oppose ATC privatization.
Bolen opened the show for “all” in attendance, including key individuals like Nevada Rep. Dina Titus; Jim Murren, MGM CEO; FAA Michael Huerta; and a commissioner, in a show of “resilience” in the wake of the Las Vegas shooting. “As we stand in Las Vegas, we’re aware that not only is it a pro-business place with great infrastructure and great energy, but we also see that it is a city of remarkable strength, remarkable selflessness, remarkable compassion.” He continued, “Las Vegas is resilient. And we’re very proud to be here at such an important time.” Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1), whose district includes much of Las Vegas, also conveyed her appreciation to convention attendees – “We’re always happy to have you here, and you’re even more welcome this year.”
Tuesday’s concluding remarks came from retired U.S. Navy Captain and NASA astronaut, James Lovell, one of several aviation legends speaking out against ATC privatization after telling a very entertaining tale of his very first night carrier landing.
I was lucky enough to attend FalconJet’s Wednesday morning breakfast at the Wynn Hotel. It was very informative as their line of aircrafts’ latest innovations were described. Their special guest was Cameron Robertson, co-founder of AeroVelo. He gave a captivating presentation on three of their award-winning “human-powered” land speed bicycle, helicopter, and airplane. AeroVelo’s work is the epitome of human-powered motivation.
Back at the convention center after breakfast, Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger led off the general session opening remarks by discussing the pit-falls of ATC privatization and summarizing, “I am not done yet,” as aviation’s spokesperson.
MedAire founder, Joan Sullivan Garrett, was presented NBAA’s 2017 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award by Bolen. Ms. Garrett is a pioneer in critical-care medical response to provide lifesaving
products and services for both the aviation and maritime sectors.
Bolen also awarded the 2017 Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership, not to a single individual but to all of the everyday heroes in the general aviation community, pictured in a great visual montage, who flew critical relief missions to areas affected by the recent hurricanes and earthquakes in 2017.
The Kelly (twins) Astronauts gave an incredibly entertaining talk on their careers. Mark started the audience laughing by boldly stating that he is older and wiser by “six minutes.” While they were not good students early on, they became motivated and aimed high. As naval aviators, they were not the best to the point that their superiors and instructors asked them, “Are you sure flying is for you?” Both have great flying abilities.
Scott Kelly capped off their talk by asserting that, “continuing to do the hard things is the best gift we can continue to give our children and grandchildren.” He was building on President Kennedy’s speech about going to the moon and doing the “hard things.” Scott explained the attributes necessary to accomplish hard things is to have a plan and a goal, take risks, make mistakes, understand you will fail at times, focus on things you can control, test the status quo, and always work as a team. If people adopt this attitude, the Kellys said, “The sky is not the limit.”
Wednesday afternoon allowed those in attendance to listen to a panel that consisted of Dorothy Cochrane, GA Curator at the National Air & Space Museum; Deszo Molnar, Flying Car Racing; and Brian Purdy, a Samson Switchblade buyer. The panel discussed flying cars past, present, and future. Alex Gertsen, NBAA’s Director of Airports and Ground Infrastructure moderated the panel. Dorothy gave an overview of the legacy of flying cars in the Smithsonian and a look at new vehicles in development. Brian focused on his rationale to advance purchase a flying car and why it is the best solution for his travel requirements. Dezso described his current flying motorcycle and vehicles in development and outlined the separate racing categories for the upcoming flying car races.
Wednesday evening was the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) Soiree. It is an opportunity to mix and mingle and give to a great charity. CAN is the only charitable entity in the United States with a sole mission to help cancer patients access the best possible treatment by arranging free air travel to specialized care facilities aboard business aircraft. Since its founding 36 years ago, CAN has made more than 54,000 flights possible for cancer patients. While I am no millionaire, your very own author leaned into the auctioneer’s ear right as a $27,670 (retail) Textron Stampede ATV was sold for $100,000 and stated, “I think the company will do two of those (for charity reasons when the stakes are this high).” With that, Spanky Assister went back to the lady who lost with her lesser bid and bamm, she stepped up, and CAN got two sold for a total of $200,000. Knowing I accounted for 23 percent of CAN’s evening take of $435,000 for such a good cause made my NBAA 100,000 times more worth it.
Thursday was set aside to see the many, many aircraft that adorned Henderson Airport’s ramp space after a bird’s-eye view from my friend’s restaurant, The Landings, for breakfast. Seeing the ramp filled with aircraft of all kinds was Nirvana for us pilot types.
A gorgeous DC-3 and a Stinson Reliant was prominently shown alluding to the 70 years of NBAA and the aircraft that started it all. I think a Beech Staggerwing would have complemented the duo. All in all, if you knew someone, you could pass through the various aircraft companies’ gate guards and enjoy spirited drinks, salmon, and desserts. Maybe it was the cologne I was wearing, but I had no complaints on all of the corporate interaction I was served up.
My good friend of 33 years is the SVP of Sales for U.S. and Canada for FalconJets. Another colleague of mine had a business partner that lived nearby that was in the market for a jet, so I saw first-hand FalconJet’s no pressure, informative presentation of their quality aircraft.
I will reiterate here, if you have never gone to an NBAA BACE, you are missing out. A deep discount was given to attend the event the last day, Thursday. Start now becoming good friends with anyone that exhibits or is a customer of the many NBAA member corporations. You will not be disappointed.
Paul T. Glessner, M.S. is an aspiring aviation writer where he has already shown his skills in automotive writing and photography. He is an FAA certificated commercial pilot with instrument, multi-engine, and G-IV SIC ratings who has been flying since 16 while working as a ‘line-boy’ during high school. Add to that, 30 years of aircraft design and flight-testing some of the best: F-22, F-35, B-717, and CH-148. Paul made real-time aerodynamic analysis after the launch of the Space Shuttle to ensure seven astronauts returned to Earth safely. NASA has awarded him for work on the High Speed Civil Transport and the USAF for High-Alpha Testing of the F-22. In his spare time, he consults on vehicle aerodynamics and has spoken at more than 35 universities on the subject matter.
