With the end of the 2009 NBAA Convention, the BizAv community has had a chance to take stock of the year that has passed and evaluate their future prospects. While attendance and participation were obviously at lower levels than in year's past, the community showed that it is willing to do what it must to survive, and is seeking new opportunities and business venues as aggressively as the current economic climate allows.
This year's NBAA Opening Session featured four primary speakers... each with something to say that had an impact on the BizAv community. This year's roster included FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, Forbes magazine publisher Rich Karlgaard, Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Golfer and Business Aviation Advocate Arnold Palmer.
The FAA's Administrator Randy Babbitt told Attendees at the Tuesday morning NBAA2009 Opening General Session that widespread adoption of safety management systems (SMS) and an emphasis on pilot professionalism and mentoring will be the key to taking aviation safety to the next level. Because aviation is "exceedingly safe" already, Babbitt thinks the somewhat controversial SMS is "the only option" to take aviation to the next level of safety."
"When it comes to safety, status quo is not enough," he said.
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