Aug. 3, 2017
International policies affecting business aviation, and the importance of grassroots advocacy for the industry, will be among the topics addressed by NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown at the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) annual convention, Aug. 9-11 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
“The global regulatory environment impacts operations on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border,” said Brown, who will deliver the event’s keynote address. “Many of those challenges stem from governmental systems around the world that aren’t particularly open or responsive to democratic input from their citizens, which makes it difficult to modify and update systems to support the industry’s growth.”
Brown will also speak about business aviation security practices in an increasingly uncertain global environment, and ongoing efforts to improve the industry’s safety record.
“Long-term trends demonstrate that business aviation continues to grow incrementally safer,” he continued. “That comes in large part through better training, ongoing implementation of best practices, and the increasing voluntary use of safety management systems and risk-management practices in flight departments.”
Another topic for discussion will be No Plane No Gain, the advocacy effort co-sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, which promotes the industry’s many contributions to citizens, companies and communities across the U.S.
“This campaign has been extremely effective in telling our industry’s story to the general public, the media and key elected officials and local decisionmakers,” Brown said. “It’s a great story about job creation, economic benefits and community support, and it’s important these groups understand these contributions as our industry works to retain access to local airports, modernize our national airspace system and promote regulatory standards that are not oppressive to business aviation operations.”
Learn more about No Plane No Gain.
CBAA 2017 takes place at the Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre, adjacent to Abbotsford International Airport (YXX). The event will feature discussions with government and industry leaders, a static aircraft display, and a diverse range of educational sessions addressing critical topics affecting Canada’s business aviation industry.
For the first time in the event’s history, CBAA 2017 will be held in conjunction with the popular Abbotsford International Airshow, a move that Brown expects will bolster attendance. “This will likely be a record-setting event for CBAA, and the new format will help attract a new audience to explore the many facets of business aviation.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.