A Fond Farewell

Feb. 13, 2013
I have met many great professionals, and have developed many friendships. I thank you all graciously for accepting me into this industry, and for sharing your passion.

In just four and a half years, I feel like I have learned more about aviation and the business of airports than I thought I would ever learn about anything – and that feels great. Much credit is due to my team members at Cygnus Aviation, who have encouraged me to delve deeply into this expansive and exciting industry.

Before my time here at Airport Business, I had very limited exposure to the industry, apart from a stint my brother made in pursuing a professional piloting career years ago. Despite that, I have always been interested in powered flight — from the first time as a young boy seeing airliners approaching O'Hare when my father would take us kids to an occasional Twins/Sox game in Chicago.

I am not a pilot, although I did participate in an introductory flight lesson as part of my initial foray as assistant editor for this publication back in ‘08 (my trainer was Wisconsin Aviation's Jim Quinn) — yet, the aviation 'bug' has me firmly in its grasp. 

You don't need to be a pilot to fall in love with aviation. I love aviation because the world depends upon it, and because everyone who works within it is very passionate about what they do. As editor for Airport Business, I have met many great professionals, and have developed many friendships. I thank you all graciously for accepting me into this industry, and for sharing your passion.

While the time has come for me to move on as a member of the Cygnus Aviation editorial team, I am very excited to be taking a new step in a very familiar direction. The rate at which technology is transforming all aspects of air travel and airport operations has interested me greatly from the moment I was introduced to aviation. Now, as a member of a forward-looking technology solutions firm, I will be at the pulse of what drives innovation and success in this industry.

I am a firm believer in the mindset that change in technology is constant and increasing, especially at the airport setting. But airports are adapting. They are finding new ways to generate revenue in a time when Federal financial support is clearly inadequate. And airports are listening to passengers, and working like crazy to provide a travel experience that is beginning to finally restore the perception that the airport can be an exciting destination in and of itself. 

As for GA? Airport business operators are still cautiously optimistic for the future. Service providers are adapting as well, however, and they are utilizing new communication tools like social media to engage their respective communities and to educate the public of the important role GA plays in economic development, and in connecting small towns and cities to the larger regional and national network. 

This is why I love aviation. Everyone here is part of a community that only wants to see aviation thrive.

Welcome to 2013.

Thanks for your interest,

BDM