NBAA Celebrates Hard-won ATC Battle, Preps for Future

Highlighting the hard-won battle over ATC privatization, technological advances now transforming business aviation, and challenges ahead, “We want to celebrate the present, but we also want to champion the future,” NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said in welcoming attendees at the General Opening Session of NBAA-BACE 2018 in Orlando.

Bolen reminded attendees “where we were [a year ago] and where we are today” with a video featuring key legislators who cited the impact grassroots efforts organized by NBAA and other aviation associations had in defeating the well-financed privatization lobby. That impact was brought home in the opening remarks of keynote speaker Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-Louisiana), a veterinarian, pilot, and ally in the modernization versus privatization campaign. “I’m here simply to say thank you,” he said. “When you called us and told us your feelings, we listened.” He reminded attendees that while ATC privatization had been defeated for now, “It could raise its head again.”

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