NBAA convention a success despite Sandy's wrath
November 5, 2012, 01:21 pm
The National Business Aviation Association wrapped up the three-day 65th Annual Meeting and Convention on November 1. NBAA President Ed Bolen was satisfied with the turnout despite being scheduled while Hurricane Sandy was hitting the East Coast.
“Attendees and exhibitors at this year’s show have told us that it was a very strong event, despite its timing alongside Hurricane Sandy’s landfall on the East Coast, and a temporary flight restriction for the Orlando area late on Sunday evening and Monday morning before the show,” Bolen said. “We’re delighted that, especially given those challenges, convention participants reported strong traffic on the exhibit floor and at the aircraft static displays, along with a high level of enthusiasm among attendees.”
The 2012 convention had 25,150 people in attendance from 50 states and 87 countries after all was said and done, falling just short of the 26,077 in attendance for the 2011 convention but up from the 24,206 who came out for the 2010 event. There were 1,073 exhibitors set up throughout the Orange County Convention Center, while 105 aircraft were on display for event goers to enjoy.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association officials have asked the general aviation community to hold off on helping the many people affected by Hurricane Sandy in order to keep the airspace clear for emergency response and search and rescue teams.
Hurricane Sandy struck on October 29 and 30, leaving millions without power, causing widespread flooding and fires, and left 93 people dead in the United States and Canada, Reuters reported on November 2. The death toll is expected to increase because recovery efforts are still under way.
AOPA Insurance Services President Janet Bressler said on October 30 that insurance claims for damage to aircraft had just begun to be filed. Bressler said that the association will know more about the full extent of the damage as time goes on.
“While none of us ever want our precious aircraft to suffer damage, some events are simply unavoidable, and there will likely be quite a number of losses in Sandy’s wake,” Bressler said. “For anyone that is discovering aircraft damage resulting from Hurricane Sandy, we encourage you to immediately document the damage with photos, secure the aircraft as much as possible from any further damage, and notify your insurance broker or carrier immediately to begin the claim process.”
Hurricane Sandy serves as a good reminder to all pilots that pilot life insurance is available in the unlikely event of storms like Sandy.
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