This was my first time at the FBO Leadership Conference presented by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA); I wasn’t sure what to expect. The sense of community was unmatched from any other event that I have attended. The passion and dedication that everyone had for the industry was inspiring and contagious. I would like to thank NATA for putting on such a wonderful conference and allowing me to be a part of it.
I was most intrigued by the General Aviation Infrastructure & Investment Coalition Leadership Update session. Hearing the different situations that are going on with different FBOs, and some of the struggles that they are dealing with is concerning. There was quite a few comments on ‘How is this a fair business model’.
As a magazine that reaches both Airports and FBOs, we have the unique opportunity to be a sounding board for this issue. There are two sides to every story, and I think that once we understand eachother, we can find a solution that is beneficial to all parties. I would like to hear from FBOs that are having lease issues; I am interested to hear your side of the story and to learn more about what is happening with the business. Please reach out to me.
I met many new and great people, as well as reconnected with others at the conference — thank you for all of the wonderful conversations. In the last six, and now going on seven years, I have learned something new about aviation at every event, and I continue to learn something new every day.
I also want to congratulate my colleague Ron Donner, editor of Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) magazine, an airport business sister publication. Ron was this year’s recipient of NATA's Aviation Journalism Award.
Ron is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and he loves aviation. As he said to NATA president James Coyne, ‘I am not a journalist, I am just a plane guy.’ His passion for aviation is what makes him such a great part of our Cygnus Aviation media team at Cygnus Business Media.
Congratulations Ron, we are truly honored to have you as a part of the team.
As always ... Thanks for Reading.
Missy
