A strong line-up including Catherine M. “Kate” Lang, FAA Acting Associate Administrator for Airports helped to assure that the NASAO 2010 Washington Legislative Conference held on March 28th through the 31st in the nation’s capital was informative.
Joining Kate Lang was Peter Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Brian Delauter, General Manager, General Aviation, TSA, and luncheon speaker, US Senator Byron Dorgan.
A NASAO Legislative Conference wouldn’t be complete without a lively discussion with congressional staffers. This year’s discussion included Holly Woodruff-Lyons (House Aviation Republican staff), Jarrod Thompson (Senate Aviation Republican staff), Jana Denning (House Aviation Democratic staff) and Gael Sullivan (Senate Aviation Democratic staff).
Monday’s sessions also included Kevin Carlson, Senior Associate/Project Manager with Mead & Hunt, who discussed wind turbines and John Langford, President of Aurora Flight Sciences, who talked about the current and future state of UAVs.
Tuesday morning industry presentations included Richard Gossen of GCR and Kathryn Solee of NASAO who provided an u
pdate on the NASAO/GCR Based Aircraft Inventory program. They were followed by NBAA’s Lisa Piccione who stressed the importance of continuing positive promotion of General Aviation. Ms. Piccione showed several video clips of campaigns prepared by NBAA including a spot with legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.
FAA Great Lakes Regional Administrator Barry Cooper discussed the FAA/NASAO MOUs and wrapping up the morning were NASAO Alum Michael O’Donnell (currently with FAA) and USDA’s Mike Begier who discussed wildlife assessments.
Other industry representatives participating in the conference included AOPA representatives Melissa Rudinger, Greg Pecoraro, Bryan Budds, Joey Colleran, Sean Collins, John Collins, Bill Dunn, and Mark Kimberling; Pam Keidel-Adams, Wilbur Smith Associates, Maggie Covalt, Applied Pavement Technology, Dan Donahue and Nancy Thomsen with Vaisala and Nell Stubbs, Conklin & deDecker.
Look for follow-up articles in coming weeks at stateaviationjournal.com.
