Cybersecurity threats, the evolution of technologies, and the fight against illegal charter are among the key topics that the National Air Transportation Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference will delve into this month. Scheduled from June 17 to 19 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., the conference is tailored for aviation businesses—including charter operators, management companies, airports, MROs, FBOs, and flight-training providers, among others—and will cover a range of topics from general aviation advocacy and workforce development to ground handling safety and community outreach. It will also include meetings on Capitol Hill, as well as discussions with key government officials from the FAA and TSA.
The cybersecurity session comes as the FAA and ICAO look into establishing cybersecurity standards. NATA notes that financial losses from cybercrime are estimated to cost $6 trillion annually by 2021 and said preparing for tomorrow's threats is the “next, most important frontier.” And the emerging technologies session will delve into changes ahead for the industry and how it might evolve Part 135 businesses, while FAA officials and NATA Illegal Charter Task Force members will provide an update on the multi-pronged effort to step up education and address criminal activity.
NATA also will present its annual Industry Excellence Awards during the event. This year’s awards and recipients include FBO Customer Service Award to Kristine Ross, supervisor of customer service with Pentastar Aviation; NATA Future Leader Award to Michael Hushek, FBO manager with Naples Aviation; Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award to Scott Seber, line technician with Naples Aviation; ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award to Douglas Levangie, v-p of maintenance operations and advisory services with Pentastar Aviation; NATA Airport Executive Partnership Award to Flora Margheritis, airport manager at Van Nuys Airport; and NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award to Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation.
Other previously named recipients included its highest honors, the William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award and Distinguished Service Award, to long-time aviation business and community leaders Martin "Marty" Hiller (Marathon Jet Center/Marathon General Aviation) and Don Campion (Banyan Air Services), respectively, as well as its Distinguished Public Service Award to Dorenda Baker, former executive director of the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Service.
