Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Business aviation has a deep bench of leaders, planners, innovators and visionaries – this month, a robust lineup of them will come together to share their perspectives about the industry’s hottest topics, on a single stage: the Flight Deck at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).
Located in the heart of the NBAA-BACE exhibit floor, Flight Deck sessions will feature top experts, media figures and others for discussions focused on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), maintenance capacity, advanced air mobility (AAM), aircraft transactions, career development and more.
“The NBAA-BACE Flight Deck is where business aviation comes together to define the industry’s future,” said NBAA Interim COO Dan Hubbaard. “This year’s program reflects both the opportunities and challenges before our industry, while offering attendees practical guidance they can take back to their organizations.”
Key sessions at the NBAA-BACE Flight Deck include:
Tuesday, Oct. 20:
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Cyberthreats to Business Aviation: Incidents, Risks and Practical Defenses Cybercrime is an increasing threat, on the ground and in the air – are you vulnerable to longstanding and emerging hazards alike? This session provides a clear, non-technical overview of the cyberthreats facing Part 91 and 135 operators, including ransomware, data breaches, business email compromise and vulnerabilities introduced by third-party vendors.
Expected speakers include Clifford Callender – ACVRM / Aviation Cyber and Vendor Risk Management; Rick Snider – Flight Pro International; Josh Wheeler – GoGo Air.
Noon – 1 p.m.: Fewer Errors, Safer Skies – Inside the Historical SOP Revolution Changing How Business Aviation Flies As business aircraft flying becomes ever-more complex, an enduring concern is that standard operating procedure (SOP) deficiencies remain a top contributor to accidents. In response, the sector is implementing an historic, industrywide SOP initiative led by NBAA, FlightSafety and CAE.
Expected speakers include Michael Graham – (former) NTSB, Tim Schoenauer – CAE, Matthew Simmonds – PepsiCo.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Navigating the MRO Capacity Crisis – Mergers, Partnerships and the Future of Maintenance Technician shortages, aging facilities and a wave of consolidation are making it harder to get aircraft quickly back into service. We’ll discuss the long-term outlook for independent shops compared to large networks.
Expected speakers include Stephen Maiden – West Star Aviation, Jessie Naor – The VIP Seat Podcast, Suresh Narayanan – Jets MRO.
2:45 – 3:15 pm: Radio Altimeter Mandate – Timelines, Mandates, and Funding Next year, the FAA plans to auction portions of the upper C-band spectrum, which is immediately adjacent to the frequencies used for aviation navigation and other safety technologies. Aircraft need to be equipped for protection from signal interference – is your flight operation ready? Top experts will deliver a clear roadmap for radio altimeter installations and an inside look at the FCC clearinghouse.
Expected speakers include Stephen Maiden – West Star Aviation; Jessie Naor – The VIP Seat Podcast; Suresh Narayanan – Jets MRO.
3:30 – 5 p.m.: Live From the Horizon Stage – ‘Aviation Start,’ a FLYING Production, With Jamail Larkins The host of the “AviationStart” Flying Production Video Podcastbwill be recording episodes in front of a live audience for release after NBAA-BACE. The episodes, featuring industry leaders, will highlight business aviation careers in maintenance, scheduling, dispatch, safety and operations.
Episodes include Leadership discussion with U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT).
Wednesday, Oct. 21:
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Market Outlook – Aircraft Broker Insights Market research leader Rollie Vincent of Rolland Vincent Associates will join International Aircraft Dealers Association transaction professionals to analyze current market conditions, and identify the information aircraft buyers and sellers need, while examining the effects of the most recent regulatory and tax policies on transactions.
Expected speakers include Laurie Barringer – ACASS; John Odegard – 5X5 Trading; Rollie Vincent – Rolland Vincent Associates (RVA).
10:45-11:45 am: Knowledge Acceleration With Human Oversight – AI and Aviation Expertise Operational leaders, maintenance experts and AI specialists will discuss where the technology can reduce friction and improve outcomes today, why qualified human oversight remains essential and how future advancements can support greater safety and efficiency.
Expected speakers include Mike Brown – Ironfleet Aero, Inc.; John Gale – Ironfleet Aero, Inc.; Melissa Hale – Ironfleet Aero, Inc.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: AAM Infrastructure – Preparing Airports and FBOs for Vertiports Advanced air mobility will not succeed by building entirely new infrastructure everywhere. Instead, it needs to integrate intelligently with existing aviation infrastructure. This session explores how airports, FBOs and service providers can adapt to support electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other AAM transport vehicles.
Expected speakers include Bryan Bernhard – Archer; Scott Cutshall, CAM – Clay Lacy; Mike French – Signature Aviation.
4-5 p.m.: Career Journeys in Aviation – Lessons from Industry Trailblazers This fireside chat highlights the real experiences behind a successful aviation career. Rather than outlining a prescribed career path, the speakers will share the pivotal moments, challenges, learning curves and personal turning points that shaped their professional growth.
Expected speakers include Dustin Cordier – StepZero Coaching; Sameer Romani – Aviation Partners.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Flight Deck will host NBAA Collegiate Connect, a daylong event that introduces students to strategies for professional development and to the breadth of opportunities available across business aviation.
Learn more about the full lineup of Flight Deck sessions.
The NBAA-BACE Flight Deck program complements the programming also taking place on the show’s all-new Horizon Stage, which will feature industry icons, top government leaders and award presentations.
The convention will also provide dozens of education sessions, professional development program courses, safety and sustainability content, a Military Connect program and other offerings for those who have, or aspire to have, careers in business aviation. Learn more.
Taking place this year Oct. 20-22, NBAA-BACE is the world’s most influential business aviation event of the year, showcasing the industry’s latest innovations and services, and hosting the leaders who are shaping its future.