VBACE Program Schedule

9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m

Honeywell Aerospace – Press Conference

9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m

Tamarack Aerospace Group – Press Conference

10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m

Cessna and Beechcraft – Press Conference

10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m

JETNET iQ – Press Conference

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

A Conversation About ADS-B Testing

Sponsored by Collins Aerospace

Moderated by: Rich Ochs, Spirit Aeronautics
Location: Maintenance Chat Lounge

Join this VBACE Chat Lounge Coffee Chat to ask questions or share your own experience with ADS-B Out validation testing.

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m

AIRBUS – Press Conference

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m

Innovative Solutions & Support – Press Conference

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

S&D Community Conversation

Location: Schedulers & Dispatchers Chat Lounge

Connect with members of the Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee. This is a great opportunity to engage, share and learn from peers.

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Discuss the Compensation Survey

Moderated by: Hunter Watson, NBAA’s Operations Specialist
Location: Aviation Managers Chat Lounge

The 2020 NBAA Compensation Survey has been an instrumental tool for flight departments, providing a thorough review of aviation department personnel salaries and benefits. Join this session to learn more about the compensation survey and how it can be an instrumental to your operation’s success.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Special Edition NBAA News Hour: Legislative & Regulatory Hot Topics

Presented by: Doug Carr and Christa Lucas, NBAA

Learn about recent developments in the Federal regulatory and legislative arenas important to the business aviation community. This presentation also will explore how the industry can engage with policymakers to advance our advocacy efforts.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Top Tax Benefits and Limitations for Aircraft Ownership & Operation

Presented by: Angel Houck and Julianne Christensen, Houck & Christensen CPAs LLC

Navigating the tax benefits and hurdles of aircraft ownership and operations can be complicated and being uninformed can be a costly mistake. This session will cover the basics of some key topics, such as bonus depreciation, personal use, and sales & use tax planning. Whether you are looking to purchase an aircraft or review your current tax situation, this session will provide some clarification to the rules and regulations with valuable planning opportunities.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Turns Around a Pint Ep. 1 – Making Your Data Drive Your SMS

Presented by: Amanda Ferraro, Aviation Safety Solutions and Max Grover, Dell Technologies

Tune in for the first episode in a series of informal discussions between colleagues seeking to dissect the poignant safety issues effecting the industry at-large. Amanda Ferraro of Aviation Safety Solutions sits down for a drink while sharing her considerable expertise on how to derive and apply better data within your SMS. Safety Goals, SPIs, SPTs, oh my! Ferraro and Grover will explore one flight department’s transformational shift to utilizing the data they generated in a meaningful way.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The Future of Flight: Using Connectivity to Digitally Transform Your Aircraft

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by Gogo Business Aviation

In the COVID-19 era, the need for inflight connectivity has become more important than ever before. Business executives today are using their “office in the sky” as their primary office, conducting virtual meetings during flight, managing their inbox, leading remote workforces, staying on top of breaking news, and even holding in-person meetings on the aircraft while sitting on the tarmac to help ensure personal safety. All of which means the hunger for faster speeds, more personal services, and future-proof solutions is only going to increase in the years to come.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Discuss UAS Safety Management Systems

Moderated by: Jon Hegranes, Kittyhawk
Location: Emerging Tech Chat Lounge

Join us to discuss NBAA’s UAS Safety Management Systems resources developed to aid buinesses who have integrated or are planning to include UAS into their operations.

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

NBAA Local & Regional Groups Networking Event and Recognition Ceremony

Moderated by: Regional Group Leaders and Regional Reps
Location: Regional Groups Chat Lounge

Please join the NBAA Local & Regional Group Committee and fellow regional group leaders from around the country, plus NBAA Regional Representatives, for this networking event. This is a great opportunity for discussions with your peers about ideas for best practices for regional group success. We will also be presenting the NBAA Recognition of Outstanding Excellence By a Local & Regional Group during this time. If you are a regional group leader, or interested in starting up or participating in a grassroots business aviation/general aviation group in your area, this is for you!

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Dierks Bentley – The VBACE Interview

Sponsored by Textron Aviation

Keynote speaker Dierks Bentley, a multi-platinum singer/songwriter and certificated pilot will present a “free-and-easy” keynote that will have a vibe characteristic of the overall event, which has a single, game-changing aim: bring people together, in an industry that thrives on connection.

2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

CAM Program Conversation

Location: CAM Chat Lounge

Connect with members of the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Governing Board and engage in conversation about the program.

2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

A Conversation About DEI

Moderated by: Jo Damato and Hunter Watson, NBAA
Location: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chat Lounge

Chat with members of NBAA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group to learn more about the association’s efforts. Access link to be posted in lounge.

2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m

Baldwin Safety & Compliance – Press Conference

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Top 40 Under 40 Virtual Meetup

Sponsored by TAC Air

Moderated by: Past Top 40 Under 40 Award Winners
Location: YoPro Chat Lounge

Chat with members of NBAA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group to learn more about the association’s efforts.

2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.

The New Era of Healthy Travel: COVID Solutions for Business Travel

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by Honeywell

Nine months ago, no one could have imagined the way life would look today. Passenger air travel came to a screeching halt worldwide and one of the most booming segments of the U.S. economy looked like it may never recover. Fast forward a few months and business aviation appears to be returning more quickly and moving in a positive direction. Protecting passengers and crew is becoming more of a priority than ever, and cockpit and cabin sterilization have become an essential part of aviation operations. Join a panel of industry experts to discuss the new era of healthy travel and the COVID solutions for business aviation.

2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.

Living Leadership in the Aviation Maintenance Community

Presented by Stewart D’Leon, NBAA and Jonathan Cleck, Stronghold Leadership

What’s different about leaders and managers in a technical career field like aircraft maintenance? As the career field changes, are we meeting the needs of the current workforce as well as preparing the leaders of the future? Stewart and Jonathan will share some of their insight and speak about the unique challenges that we face in aviation maintenance in the area of leadership. If you are looking to expand your career growth opportunities to include a role that involves managing staff, they will also discuss the areas of knowledge, tools, and skill sets you should be exploring on your journey.

2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.

Local & Regional Group Leadership Roundtable: Disaster Preparedness for Regional BizAv Groups

Presented by:
Marj Rose, IBAC; Steve Hadley, NBAA; Brian Kelly, Operation Airdrop; and Rol Murrow, Wolf Aviation Fund

This session will be focused on what local and regional group leaders need to be aware of during emergency responses by emergency response groups and their volunteers. Whether it is during weather events, natural disasters or health related emergencies, there are considerations that must be taken to be safe, effective and coordinated with other relief efforts.

2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.

Turns Around a Pint Ep. 2 – Research Supporting Upset Training

Presented by:
Paul “BJ” Ransbury, Aviation Performance Solutions, Inc.
Dr. Janeen Kochan, Aviation Research, Training, and Services, Inc
Dr. Scott Glaser, Flight Research, Inc

Three recognized industry experts in the field of upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) join the program to lead a high-level review of the trajectory of a typical loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) accident. Paul BJ Ransbury, Dr. Janeen Kochan, and Dr. Scott Glaser integrate their collective knowledge to present the progression of LOC-I from a real-world perspective. The discussion is supported by published research and first-hand experience training hundreds of pilots of all levels of experience in the domain of UPRT. Don’t miss this thought-provoking, evidence-based discussion of UPRT applied to LOC-I, every pilot’s most lethal threat on every flight.

2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m.

How BizAv Leaders Are Moving Forward During Unprecedented Times 

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by VistaJet

A climate crisis and global health crisis are forcing the business aviation industry to reckon with its future. In this panel discussion, business aviation leaders – from OEMs to providers to industry executives – will discuss how the sector as a whole needs to confront these challenges, what their individual companies are doing to combat the crises, and share their thoughts for moving forward and positive change.

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

How Can aviation Directors Help their Company Fly Again?

Moderated by: Moderated by: Bob Hobbi and Lisa Archambeau, ServiceElements
Location: Aviation Managers Chat Lounge

A business aircraft is an extremely versatile tool providing on-demand air transportation in a safe, efficient and secure manner. As company travel restrictions continue, yet some travel is necessary, what strategies can flight department leaders employ to convince their reporting executive to deploy the business aircraft for these missions? Join ServiceElements for a timely coffee chat exploring opportunities for business aviation to further integrate with the company’s needs and strategy.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

How Data-Driven Insights Influence Training

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by CAE

We live in a connected world where we have the ability, through various technologies, to collect and learn from various types of data. For example, many operators employ flight data monitoring programs to analyze operational data in order to measure and track operational risks. In training today, we have the opportunity to derive insights from various types of data to better understand how we can train safer pilots, improve the quality of instruction and ensure the training programs used are effective in the continuous development of a pilot. In this thought leadership session, we will examine how one such application, CAE Rise, can be used to help business aviation operators achieve the above.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Chartering a Private/Business Aircraft: Tips for First-Timers

Sponsored by WYVERN Ltd.
Chartering an airplane is an ideal introduction to the benefits of private and business aviation. This session, geared towards new charter customers, will introduce options available and provide tips for chartering aircraft for personal and business use.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Local & Regional Group Roundtable: Regional Groups & BizAv Career Engagement

Speaking with students, parents and teachers about a career in business aviation can occur with short notice. Join the Local & Regional Group Committee to learn about tips and resources to engage with your audience.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

DIY International Trip Planning

Today’s advanced technology makes it possible for the international operator to set up their own ground handling arrangements, international flight plans and weather support. This session will discuss the pros and cons, best practices and techniques of doing it yourself (DIY) versus using an international service provider. Session speakers will include a flight department manager/pilot, scheduler dispatcher and technology provider. If you’re contemplating doing it yourself, be sure not to miss this session.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Future of Flight: How Digital Solutions are Transforming the User Experience

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by Collins Aerospace

Increased access to data and information are changing the way you plan and manage your operations – as well as the experience you provide your passengers. Join us as we explore what these technology trends mean for pilots, passengers, dispatchers and directors of maintenance – now and for the future.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

A Conversation About Small Flight Department Subcommittee Initiatives

Moderated by: Dave Keys, NBAA’s Small Flight Department Subcommittee Chair
Location: Small Operators Chat Lounge

Join the NBAA Small Flight Department Subcommittee for an interactive session to discuss safety culture, operation resources, and future iniatives the committee plans to address.

5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Business Aviation Safety Data Sharing Q&A

Sponsored by Collins Aerospace

Moderated by: Jeff Mittelman, Mittelman Aviation Solutions
Location: Pilots and Safety Managers Chat Lounge

Human-reported and automated safety data can provide a wealth of information to business aircraft operators. However, in a survey conducted by the NBAA Safety Committee, only 45% of association members said they participate in some sort of an automated safety data sharing effort. In the aftermath of recent incidents, NBAA members have seen data pointing to the prevalence of common causes throughout the industry. How many incidents might business aviation prevent by taking advantage of this information before a tragedy, rather than after? Without operators utilizing or providing data, these critical failures can go unnoticed, even in the most robust SMS, resulting in incidents and potentially loss of life. The Safety Committee is developing tools to promote the use and sharing of data among business aircraft operators not already doing so. Join this Coffee Chat with our experts on the topic to get your questions about business aviation safety data sharing answered.

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

VBACE YoPro Virtual Happy Hour

Sponsored by TAC Air

Moderated by: Members of NBAA’s YoPro Council
Location: YoPro Chat Lounge

Kick back virtually with members of NBAA’s YoPro Council. Check in with friends old and new.

10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m

International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) – Press Conference

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

A Conversation About Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs)

Sponsored by Collins Aerospace

Moderated by: Tom Atzert, Leading Edge ATS
Location: Maintenance Chat Lounge

Join this VBACE Chat Lounge Coffee Chat to ask members of NBAA’s Maintenance Committee about MELs, configuration deviation lists (CDLs) and non-essential furnishing (NEF) lists.

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

S&D Community Conversation

Location: Schedulers & Dispatchers Chat Lounge

Connect with members of the Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee. This is a great opportunity to engage, share and learn from peers.

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m

StandardAero – Press Conference

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Buying a Private Aircraft: What First-time Buyers Need to Know

Presented by Mike Nichols, NBAA
A good rule of thumb is that at 25 hours per year flying charter, a membership or card program is a good investment and at 50 hours per year, fractional ownership offers advantages and at over 200 hours per year, whole aircraft ownership typically is recommended. This panel will introduce the steps buyers need to consider when buying a fractional aircraft or whole airplane, including options available, what to look for in a service provider (fractional program, aircraft management company, or flight department), with an emphasis on considerations for new entrants to business aviation.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Castaway: Blue Water Ditching: Training For The Unthinkable Disaster

Presented by Brian Koester, NBAA; Paul Scurio, Netflix; Dave Montgomery, author of Blue Water Ditching; and Sean Patrick, Irish Aviation Authority
This session will cover planning, preparation and survival for open ocean ditching. Every day 2,700 flights cross the world’s oceans. When will the next ditching emergency happen? Are you ready?

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Turns Around a Pint Ep. 3 – Refining your Organization’s Safety Culture

Presented by: Paul Ratté, United States Aircraft Insurance Group and Max Grover, Dell Technologies

Much like a fine wine, nurturing and refining a positive safety culture takes time, patience and a solid team effort. Paul Ratté joins Max Grover to share some pragmatic advice on why striving for a successful safety culture should be paramount to any aviation organization and how to best balance organizational characteristics to achieve this. Promoting and sustaining safety culture is a continuous effort that is universally applicable. Ratté’s expertise shines light on common pitfalls and how to best derive value from your safety culture.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Aviation Workforce Opportunities

Moderated by: Sheryl Barden, Aviation Personnel Internationalt
Location: Aviation Managers Chat Lounge

Workforce development remains a critical topic for the aviation industry, despite this temporary reprieve. Join this Coffee Chat, facilitated by NBAA Board Member, Sheryl Barden, to share your perspective on opportunities for business aviation to focus on the next generation of talent for our industry.

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Chat with EBACE YoPros!

Sponsored by TAC Air

Moderated by: EBACE YoPro Council
Location: YoPro Chat Lounge

Catch up with the EBACE YoPro Council to learn what’s in store for EBACE2021.

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

The Business Aviation Market in a Post-COVID World

Sponsored by Rolls Royce

Moderated by: Dean Roberts, Market Analysis Executive – Business Aviation, Rolls-Royce
Location: Aircraft Transactions & Dealmakers Chat Lounge

Join a facilitated Coffee Chat about what brokers, financiers and others involved in aircraft transactions may expect after this pandemic. What is the OEM deliveries outlook for the next few years? Will new entrants in business aviation stay? Will working from home and Zoom reduce flight demand long term? How will electric/hybrid aircraft impact business aviation?

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

VBACE Day 2 Keynote

Special keynote speakers will be announced soon

2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

CAM Program Conversation

Location: CAM Chat Lounge

Connect with members of the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Governing Board and engage in conversation about the program.

2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Jeppesen Presents: Ask the Experts

Sponsored by Jeppesen

Moderated by: Crystal Kubeczka, FlightSafety International
Location: International Operators Chat Lounge

This special event presented by Jeppesen will provide an opportunity to explore any international topics and delve deep into specific areas of interest. This “don’t-miss” coffee chat ensures that all of your international ops questions are answered at VBACE. Access link to be posted in the International Operators lounge.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Path Forward: Restarting Operations During a Global Pandemic

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by MedAire

The world is battling a pandemic unlike we have seen in our lifetimes. As business aviation continues to make its return, operators are presented with new challenges and risks daily. Join a panel of industry experts who will discuss obstacles including how to ensure crew and passengers are healthy prior to flight, how do you respond if someone develops COVID-like symptoms while traveling, and how can you ensure the safety of those traveling on your aircraft when the level of risk is constantly changing? This panel will share tried and tested best practices for minimizing health and safety risks in the current environment. The discussion will provide insight on the path forward.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Beyond the A&P Ticket: The Expanded Role of Today’s Modern Business Aviation Maintenance Professional

Presented by Stewart D’Leon, NBAA; Andrew Kiehl, Executive Jet Management; Shannon Hotchkin, Nike; Fern Campos, Disney Aviation Group; Kevin Flynn, CAM, AbbVie
What knowledge, skills and opportunities are necessary to engage and excel as a business aviation maintenance professional in today’s environment? This session will be an interactive dialogue with a diverse panel of business aviation maintenance leaders and influencers about how to ensure you or someone you are coaching, developing or mentoring has the toolkit for success for the expanded expectations in the modern world of bizav maintenance. Topics discussed will include: tools for enhancing safety; keeping up with rapidly-advancing technology; best practices for collaboration with multigenerational coworkers; a look at the maintenance workforce needs now and in the future.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Local & Regional Group Leadership Roundtable: Regional BizAv Group Fundraising in Difficult Times

Raising funds for your organization might seem more challenging than ever these days. How can your group adapt and create new methods to fill in the financial gaps left behind by the pandemic? Join us to discuss creative fundraising options and ideas during this session and bring stories to share about what your group is doing to raise funds.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Emerging Technology Trends and Expectations

Sponsored by Viasat

Moderator: Kirsten Bartok Touw, Managing Partner, AirFinance
Presenters: AJ Piplica, CEO Founder, Hermeus and Carl Dietrich, Co-Founder, President/Chief Designer, Jump Aero
Corporation; Marc Piette, CEO, Xwing; Paul Eremenko, CEO, Universal Hydrogen

If you are interested in learning the latest in trends dominating the emerging technologies market, join our panel discussion to hear more on hypersonic flight, carbon-free flight, advanced air mobility (AAM), eVTOL, and how the US and global landscapes are evolving to integrate these technologies.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Women in Aviation: We Can’t Afford to Lose Them

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by Textron Aviation
Presented by Mike Nichols, NBAA and Kriya Shortt, Textron Aviation

The last year has taken a toll on people and companies across the industry, and new research indicates that the global pandemic has negatively impacted women in particular. Join Kriya Shortt, SVP of Parts & Programs at Textron Aviation and member of the FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board, for a conversation with industry leaders about why supporting and retaining women in the workforce now is critical for the next generation and how companies can address the core challenges women are facing.

2:30 p.m. – 3;30 p.m.

Reducing Business Aviation Runway Excursions Q&A

Moderated by:Dan Boedigheimer, Advanced Aircrew Academy
Ben Kohler, Pfizer
Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA
Location: Pilots and Safety Managers Chat Lounge

Runway excursions continue to afflict the business aviation industry as its most common accident type. The event sequences that lead to runway excursions are consistently common. This means that operators can prevent most runway excursions by adhering to standard operating procedures designed to mitigate these well-identified causes. The addition of technology tools to these defined standard operating procedures can further reduce the likelihood of having a runway excursion event. Join this coffee chat with our experts on the topic to get answers to your questions and reduce your risk of having a runway excursion.

3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Women in Aviation: Continue the Conversation

Moderated by: Jo Damato and Hunter Watson, NBAA
Location: Women in Corporate Aviation Chat Lounge

Keep the conversation going after Women in Aviation thought leader session, sponsored by Textron Aviation. Access link to be posted in lounge.

3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Airports Coffee Chat

Moderated by: Alex Gertsen, NBAA and Access Committee Members
Location: Airport Chat Lounge

Join this video meeting to discuss key issues impacting business aviation airports and to network with airport leaders from around the country. Aircraft operators: do you have a question you have been wanting to ask an airport expert or an airport manager? Don’t miss this unique opportunity.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Crew Management in the New Reality

Sponsored Thought Leader Session by CAE

This panel discussion will explore the future challenges and opportunities for business aviation operators in the area of crew management. Panelists will:

• Examine the pilot demand and availability outlook post-COVID and what this means for operators
• Review how the evolving environment is causing operators to rethink what they need to manage crew
• Discuss the migration trend to outsourced and support services to deliver efficiencies and reliability

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Next Steps to Achieving Sustainability

Presented by Bob Searles, NBAA

At a first-of-its-kind sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) summit held in September, business aviation leaders committed to redouble efforts to foster the large-scale production and widespread adoption of SAF. What other practical steps is the industry taking now to move toward its goal of improving fuel efficiency and minimizing its environmental footprint? Learn what operators, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and others are doing.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Local & Regional Group Leadership Roundtable: Networking and Staying in Touch with Regional BizAv Group Membership

Learn about tips, tricks and tools for networking these trying times. COVID 19 and social distancing may have paused our in-person events, but staying connected has never been easier. Join us for information on maintaining relationships and driving more value for your membership.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Turns Around a Pint Ep. 4 – Pinnacle Professionalism

Presented by: Jeff Wofford, NBAA Safety Committee Chair

Professionalism: Despite being a major industry focus, it is not hard to scour the NTSB database and find an incident or accident that seems void of professional behavior. At least, some air of professionalism would have acted as a barrier to the incident. Jeff Wofford, chair of the NBAA Safety Committee, enjoys an IPA while covering professionalism as a value, manner of operating, and core institutional pillar. He explains how we can all benefit from holding ourselves and our peers accountable as aviation professionals.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Business Aviation Security: Changing Approaches to Protecting Your People and Company

Presented by Doug Carr, NBAA
COVID-19 has fundamentally altered how we plan for travel in addition to creating new potential risks arising from a substantial work-from-home population using personal equipment and internet services. This session will review current techniques for staying abreast of ever-changing travel restrictions, hot spots and civil unrest to inform travel planning. Additionally, our experts will share insight on best IT practices to consider when using personal equipment and resources in support of the remote work environment.