Noting the vital role that business aviation plays in the nation’s economic recovery, AOPA President Craig Fuller visited the National Business Aviation Association annual convention in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 19. Fuller met with other general aviation industry leaders to discuss the future of business aviation and to see emerging trends.
The convention attracts more than 20,000 corporate pilots and exhibitors. This year the event includes a track especially for those seeking information about light business aircraft. Despite the economic situation and the pessimistic mood toward business aviation, NBAA officials said 91 percent of the companies who exhibited last year returned this year.
AOPA President Craig Fuller gets a briefing on the new touch screen Garmin G3000 cockpit from Garmin’s Ben Kowalski at the NBAA convention.
During his preview of the exhibit hall floor, Fuller received a briefing on Garmin’s new G3000 cockpit that features touch screen access to the flight management interface. He also ran into EAA President Tom Poberezny, who was previewing his association’s booth in NBAA’s giant exhibit hall. The focal point in the EAA booth is an Aviat Husky that the association is giving away as part of its annual membership sweepstakes.
Fuller also attended a ceremony honoring Russ Meyer Jr., who was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in July. Meyer is chairman emeritus of Cessna Aircraft and is a long-time supporter of GA causes, including the Special Olympics Airlift. He is also chairman of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Board of Visitors.
