Recently returned from the National Business Aviation Association’s 65th Annual Convention and Exhibition, an international theme caught my attention. One day I attended the Asia-Pacific Business Aviation Access Business Briefing.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) hosted a delegation of high-ranking aviation officials from six Asia-Pacific countries. Representatives from airport and regulatory authorities provided an update on business and general aviation in their respective countries. The session also provided the chance to discuss how U.S.-based business aviation companies may access the growing aviation industry in these countries.
Many of the challenges these countries face with an emerging general and business aviation industry were similar. Summarized, many spoke about the dynamic growth in business and general aviation overtaking the investment into infrastructure, lack of a robust customs and immigration function to support general aviation activities, airport and airspace congestion, and a lack of regulatory, safety, and education policies to support emerging general aviation activity.
The China Civil Aviation Report hosted delegates from China and presented information on airport and aviation growth primarily in western China. One telling statistic was in China today there are 178 airports in 175 cities. Airport construction is growing at an extremely rapid pace with a target of having 230 airports in the year 2015. A parting comment made was, the aviation market in China is isolated and needs international involvement. The message I came away with was there’s opportunity for those businesses interested in supporting aviation in these emerging regions.
We all understand the importance of workplace safety and safety equipment. Along with having a safe work environment and appropriate safety equipment within your maintenance organization is the need for an organized workplace. In this issue of AMT, Vern Berry describes one popular method of workplace organization – a 5S program. I’m sure many of you are familiar with 5S with a name derived from five primary phrases all beginning with the letter “S”. 5S applies best-practices when organizing a work space for efficiency and effectiveness with emphasis on sustaining this new way of organizing your workplace.
Finally, it’s not too early to mention our tradeshow scheduled for March 13-14, 2013 which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Next year Cygnus Business Media plans several enhancements to this popular event, including an all new name AviationPros LIVE, which follows the name of our successful web site AviationPros.com. More to come on the new activities and educational sessions planned.
Of course the aircraft maintenance highlight is the ever popular AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition. The volunteer board members of the AMTSociety are busy planning for this premier aircraft maintenance event. The list of teams already registered for this friendly competition of maintenance tasks from all segments of aviation is growing and again several international teams will be there.
Have a safe and happy end to 2012 and wishing everyone a prosperous 2013.
Ron
