Just as the year has brought a number of significant developments to the safety landscape for business aviation, the issue will be in focus as never before at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), taking place Oct. 22-24 in Las Vegas.
“In just the past year, the FAA has been taking a new look at pilot mental wellness,” noted NBAA director, safety and flight operations Mark Larsen, who served on the FAA Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee, which issued recommendations to the agency earlier this year.
“Equally important, this year also included the introduction of a sweeping new safety management system (SMS) mandate,” Larsen said. “Separately, but significantly, Congress has passed a 1,600-page multi-year FAA reauthorization bill with key safety provisions.
“NBAA-BACE is where we’ll have the top experts to unpack the new SMS, and help you understand whether it will apply to your flight operation,” Larsen continued. “We’ll have the authoritative sources on the FAA’s evolving mental-fitness posture, and whether the changes have implications for your flight readiness. The convention is where top FAA officials will explain what the mammoth FAA bill means for the safety of your flying.”
The spotlight on safety will culminate with the 2024 National Safety Forum and Single-Pilot Safety Standdown, both held in conjunction with NBAA-BACE.
The importance of spotlighting safety at NBAA-BACE was underscored by Paul “BJ” Ransbury, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force Captain, CEO of Air Performance Solutions and NBAA Safety Committee chair, who said: “Safety is a core value of the business aviation community, and it will be a centerpiece of the convention.”
Ransbury added that the planned content will be accessible to business aviators and flight teams alike. Peer learning sessions will have information for those operating everything from piston aircraft to large-cabin business jets. The content under development for the show will be valuable to those flying both domestic and international missions.
“In short, NBAA-BACE will ensure you have what you need to stay proficient, but to level-up your game in safety of flight,” Ransbury concluded.
NBAA-BACE, taking place Oct.22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), is the world’s most powerful business aviation event, connecting the entire industry to learn and convene.
